The Japanese thumb sucking monkey doll Monchhichi is very popular in Asia. There are a few shops on Changle Road 长乐路 in Shanghai that have tons of them dressed in everything from military garb to Asian folklore and pop-culture. We picked up this lucky money cat one in a shop at Cloud 9 across from Zhongshan Park 中山公园.

On that note, I always thought money or “beckoning” cats came from China, but it turns out they are Japanese in origin. They are supposed to be placed in your ‘wealth area’ (e.g. next to cash register or entrance of your shop) and they wave their arms in a ‘come here’ gesture (that is often mistaken in the West for a ‘goodbye’ or ‘shoo’ gesture). There are two versions: the one with the cat waving its left paw is supposed to attract customers while the one waving its right is supposed to attract wealth.

The money cat is cute and all, but I think if you want real cash you’re better off going with Chan Chu 蟾蜍 the three-legged lucky money toad!