{"product_id":"seto-ware-seven-lucky-cats-treasure-ship","title":"Seven Lucky Cats Treasure Ship Figurine | Seto Ware Takarabune, 16.5 cm","description":"\u003cp\u003eA bright, joyful 16.5 cm Seto-ware piece — a maneki-neko reinterpretation of the Takarabune (宝船), Japan's \"Treasure Ship of the Seven Lucky Gods.\" Seven lucky cats in seven different colors take the place of the traditional Shichifukujin deities and sail with a full cargo of koban, a red sea bream, a blue gem, harvest leaves, and gold treasure — under the gold-embossed 宝 (takara — \"treasure\") seal on the stern.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is a Takarabune?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Takarabune (宝船 — \"treasure ship\") is a specific Japanese folklore: the Seven Lucky Gods (Ebisu, Daikoku, Bishamon, Benzaiten, Fukurokuju, Jurojin, Hotei) sail into harbor on New Year's morning carrying a year's worth of fortune. Children traditionally place a Takarabune image under their pillow on the night of January 1st to ensure auspicious 初夢 (hatsuyume — first dream of the year). This Seto-ware piece is a contemporary maneki-neko reinvention: 7 lucky cats in 7 different colors take the place of the deities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe 12 symbols on this single piece\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTreasure ship\u003c\/strong\u003e (宝船 \/ takarabune) — the folklore vessel itself\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e宝 calligraphy seal\u003c\/strong\u003e — gold-embossed \"treasure\" character on the stern\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeven Lucky Cats\u003c\/strong\u003e in 7 colors — the maneki-neko reinvention of the Shichifukujin\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRed sea bream\u003c\/strong\u003e (鰯 \/ tai) — puns with めでたい (medetai — \"auspicious\")\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGold koban\u003c\/strong\u003e (大判) — wealth, traditional takarabune cargo\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlue gem\u003c\/strong\u003e (玉) held by the black cat — treasure jewel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTurquoise sea waves\u003c\/strong\u003e around the hull — sailing on auspicious seas\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWooden ema tag\u003c\/strong\u003e with brushed calligraphy 開運宝船 (Kaiun Takarabune — \"Lucky Treasure Ship\") and red seal — artisan authentication\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRed felt zabuton\u003c\/strong\u003e — traditional engimono display base\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWorkshop \u0026amp; tradition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeto City in Aichi Prefecture is one of Japan's \"Six Ancient Kilns\" with more than a thousand years of pottery history. Seto ware is known for fine porcelain-leaning ceramics; this 七福猫宝船 (Shichifuku Neko Takarabune) line is a contemporary engimono made by a Seto-ware artisan workshop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eUse cases\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTraditional New Year's display — the Takarabune is THE January 1st Japanese engimono\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShop opening, new business launch, café and restaurant counters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHome altar shelf (kamidana), entryway table, or living-room display shelf\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGift for cat-loving collectors who already own simpler maneki neko\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat's the gold seal on the sail?\u003c\/strong\u003e 宝 (takara — \"treasure\") — the defining mark of a Takarabune.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy 7 cats, not 7 gods?\u003c\/strong\u003e This is a maneki-neko reinterpretation. The 7 cats in 7 colors echo the differentiated personalities of the original Shichifukujin, but in cat form.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ZenKiln","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47487582306534,"sku":null,"price":59.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0779\/5392\/5350\/files\/il_fullxfull.7554791647_ofi6.jpg?v=1774622218","url":"https:\/\/zen-kiln.com\/en-gb\/products\/seto-ware-seven-lucky-cats-treasure-ship","provider":"ZenKiln","version":"1.0","type":"link"}