Maneki Neko; İyi Şansa Dair Bir Japon Felsefesi

by Nobuo Suzuki, Ezgi Şayan (Translator), Selin Çolak (Editor)

Japonların iyi şans kitabı

Japonya’nın ata dini Şintoizm’de, para, aşk ya da şansı getirmesi için yapılan çok sayıda âdet bulunur. Aynı şekilde Budizm ve Okinawa ile Hokkaido bölgelerindeki animist dinlerin de bu konular için kendi ritüelleri vardır. Peki bu ritüeller nasıl işler ve iyi şansı kendi isteğimizle elde edebileceğimizi söyleyen bu inancın altında hangi tarih ya da derin anlam yatmaktadır? Günlük alışkanlıklarımızla iyi şansı nasıl hayatımızın bir parçası yaparız? Bu kitap, size şans getireceğini ve dileklerinizi gerçekleştireceğini iddia eden, bazıları sihirli, bazıları pratik, çoğu da Japon kültüründen gelen tüm inanışları incelemektedir. Çeşitli ritüelleri kolay ve motive edici bir şekilde öğrenmenin yanı sıra, iyi şansın özünü̈ ve onu doğru alışkanlıklarla hayatımıza nasıl dahil edebileceğimizi keşfedeceğiz.

Genres: Nonfiction, Philosophy, Japan, Personal Development, Self Help, Japanese Literature, Asian Literature

152 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2023

About the author

Author and philosopher, he studied Art and Literature in Europe before starting to write about creativity and personal development. He loves playing the piano, traveling around the world and living with cats.

Reviews

[Smitha Murthy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a promising book, but unluckily this wasn't for me! Pun intended. :-)

It's a sweet book that tells us about some of the Japanese rituals around luck. And not just Japanese, for some reason, the author delves into some other cultures as well. I am not sure what are the takeaways, but it may not be a bad thing to buy a waving cat tomorrow. What say you?

[Cinder · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love a book that’s littered with fun anecdotes. Given my affinity towards anything Japanese, I enjoyed learning some of the myths from the region. Sure, most of the book is full of stuff you already know, but I suppose therein lies the true point this book was trying to make. Lucky charms and various other items won’t work unless you do. So, treat this book as a reminder to continue working on your dreams with an open heart, and you’ll see the universe conspiring to bring it to you. I adore anything calm and full of positivity, so this was a pleasant read for me. A quick one, too! So, if you’re looking to get out of a reading slump, I highly recommend this one! (Plus, you get to learn more about the cute kitties! Yay!) 3.5 stars!

[GONZA · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book a bit too specialized even for me who loves the subject, but maybe others may be interested.

Libro un po' troppo settoriale anche per me che amo l'argomento, ma magari ad altri puó interessare.

I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maneki Neko is an intriguing and insightful book about the Japanese beliefs on luck and prosperity. The very title is one such item. Along with its charming appearance, one paw raised in a beckoning gesture, the Maneki-neko reflects the Japanese people's reverence for tradition and strong belief in luck as a force that can influence one's destiny.

The significance of the Maneki-neko extends beyond its role as a mere decorative item.

In Japanese culture, the concept of luck holds a significant place in customs and beliefs. Luck, known as "Un" and fortune known as"Fuku" in Japanese, are often associated with events or circumstances that bring positive outcomes. This belief is deeply rooted in ancient traditions and has a profound influence on various aspects of Japanese society, including personal interactions, business practices, and religious rituals. The book also contains other cultural references and it was definitely worth reading about them all.

In Japanese culture, luck is often associated with superstitions and rituals that are believed to influence one's fortune. Additionally, certain objects are perceived as symbols of good luck or fortune, such as "maneki-neko" (the beckoning cat) and "daruma" dolls, which are often displayed in homes and businesses to attract prosperity. Revolving around the core elements of effort, wisdom and confidence, let's delve into the vast world and experiences of Japan.

Beyond superstitions and rituals, luck also influences everyday interactions in Japanese society. Humility and modesty are highly valued traits, as individuals believe that openly bragging about personal achievements or good fortune can attract jealous spirits and result in misfortune. The concept of "giri" (obligation) further demonstrates the importance of luck in Japanese culture. Individuals often feel obligated to return favors or act in a certain way to maintain harmony and ensure the flow of good luck within social relationships. Moreover, the belief in luck extends to business practices, where it is common to exchange "meishi" (business cards) with great care, as the way one presents their card is believed to influence luck in future partnerships or opportunities.

In conclusion, luck plays a crucial role in Japanese culture and permeates various aspects of society. The belief in luck influences customs and traditions, woven into everyday interactions, and deeply ingrained in religious practices. By understanding and respecting these cultural beliefs, individuals can engage more effectively with Japanese society and appreciate the significance of luck in shaping the lives and experiences of its people.

[AquaMoon]

An interesting read. Of course I've seen these little statues around and even "inherited" a small plushie one from a friend who abandoned it and, later, said I was welcome to keep it. I'd heard the legend, too. But beyond that, never really knew much about this tradition. Or, really, any of the other Lucky Traditions this book talks about.

[Ezops · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gives various insights about Japanese/asian superstitions and luck symbols. It also mentions where the same superstition is valid for other cultures. Lucky cat maneki neko apparently has different myths in different Asian nations. Writer is also talks with a modern language so it was fun to resonate with him.

[Başak Babuçoğlu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kısa ve bilgilendirici bir kitap güzeldi.

[Milena☕ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vrlo zanimljivih činjenica, legendi i verovanja se mogu saznati iz ove knjige. Bez obzira ocenjujem je sa 3 zbog samog sazdržaja. Previše informacija koje se smenjuju bez hronologije ili nekakvog reda. Više podseća na završni rad.

[Jasmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Felt kind of scattered, but overall an ok read.

[Dunja Đokić · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s just really pointless. Learned nothing new, felt like the author was talking to me like I’m an idiot. I don’t even know how I made it to the end. Storyline that could be told in 20, not 180 pages.

[Martin Groenewoud · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have read all the books in this serie and this is a nice addition. I usually read these book once to get an overall overview and overall feel after which I read it more as a study to learn from it and understand how I can apply its principles. So this was the first reading. Next will be the study. You should do the same.

Read this book a second time, first to take notes and second to apply some of the principles. The whole series is great to read, Hopefully these books will be published in English soon.

[Boghiu Andrei · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scurtă și nu atât de complexă în intenția principală a ei, cartea aceasta a reușit să mă surprindă plăcut. E așa cum trebuie când vine vorba despre cărțile de non-ficțiune care dezbat teme despre oameni și obiceiurile lor: scurtă și la obiect. Un avantaj semnificativ al acesteia, să știți, e jovialitatea și sinceritatea prin care e scrisă și redactată, nedorind întinderi doar de dragul banilor în plus — pagini dese și multe care repetă și prelungesc inutil aceleași teme deja dezbătute în prima jumătate a cărții, cum fac peste 50% din cărțile cu același scop.

Sunt și aici unele detalii și referiri complet exagerate și care duc spre ridicol, dar le-am trecut cu vederea și mi-am văzut mai departe de lectură, curios de ce voi primi mai departe. Paradoxal, pentru că nu e vizuală, am dificultăți în a-mi expune o opinie largă și coerentă. Cu toate astea, printre temele despre căutarea și atragerea norocului discutate, cele mai evidente și cu amprentă asupra memoriei mele sunt acestea: atitudinea pozitivă asupra vieții în general; entuziasm și perseverență în orice faci; căutarea tuturor oportunităților de care ești capabil; schimbarea mediului sau contextului dăunător în care te afli și înlocuirea lui cu unul sănătos evoluției personale; optimismul și încrederea că totul nu e atât de negru pe cât mintea încercă să-ți spună deseori; reziliența în situațiile critice și în privința obstacolelor care par de netrecut; disciplina și acceptarea contextelor nefavorabile în care te găsești de multe ori pe timpul vieții etc.

Mai sunt, bineînțeles, destule idei cu însemnătate pentru cititor, dar nu cred că are rost să mă lungesc — n-a făcut-o cartea în sine, n-o fac nici eu — și să devin obositor sau repetitiv cu sensul real și ușor de intuit al întregii cărți: dacă ești pregătit și dispus să muncești cu entuziasm și încredere, să acționezi și să-ți creezi un mediu favorabil în care să progresezi, oportunitățile vor apărea și norocul mult cerut și căutat va veni într-o formă sau alta — însă doar dacă ai baza (atitudine, disciplină, încredere, voință, răbdare etc.) bine structurată pentru a ști să-ți croiești calea spre contextele favorabile și norocoase de pe traseul vieții.

Cartea (și asta mi-a plăcut la ea) nu e superficială și nu te vrăjește să crezi în formule magice; dimpotrivă — te tratează cu respectul specific societății japoneze și-ți explică valorile japonezilor în concordanță cu superstițiile de toate formele și norocul. (Superstițiile și ritualurile sunt o parte importantă a națiunii asiatice — de la culori și obiecte aducătoare de noroc, care sunt tratate cu o atenție specială, la obiceiuri pe care le repetă și în care se încred cu naivitate și religiozitate.) Norocul, până la urmă, înseamnă o însumare a tuturor trăsăturilor omului conștient de îmbunătățirile zilnice necesare și constanța în ceea ce-și propune. (Mai pe scurt, închei într-o definiție simplă și ușor de reținut: pregătirea, mediul favorabil pentru dezvoltare și oportunitățile găsite duc spre singura formă reală și sigură de noroc — practic, să ai noroc înseamnă să ai pregătirea necesară și să găsești oportunitățile care te cer stabil și sigur pe ceea ce știi să faci.) Prin urmare, pentru că aveam mare nevoie de un mesaj pozitiv și am simțit că l-am primit, voi fi generos cu nota finală.

~ 3.5 ~

[Dhea Juhara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dari judulnya, aku sempat ngira buku ini bakal nyuruh kita percaya mentah-mentah sama takhayul. Tapi ternyata, Nobuo Suzuki justru membedah makna di balik berbagai mitos yang dipercayai di dunia, terutama dari budaya Jepang. Ia nggak cuma menjelaskan simbol keberuntungan seperti maneki neko (kucing pemanggil rezeki), tapi juga mengajak kita melihat bagaimana manusia memberi arti pada hal-hal yang terjadi dalam hidup.

Buku ini memberi perspektif baru tentang cara menyikapi peristiwa yang menimpa kita. Karena pada akhirnya, yang penting bukan apa atau siapa penyebabnya, tapi bagaimana kita meresponsnya. Suzuki juga membahas tentang jenis-jenis keberuntungan yang mungkin hadir dalam hidup, tapi nggak akan benar-benar bermakna kalau kita belum siap, baik secara mental maupun fisik, untuk menerimanya.

Bagian favoritku adalah saat penulis menyinggung soal penerimaan. Bahwa menerima apapun yang terjadi bukan berarti pasrah, tapi justru menumbuhkan ketenangan hati. Sikap optimis, ditambah kemampuan untuk memberi ruang bagi pikiran kita menganalisis tanpa terjebak pada hal-hal negatif atau mencoba meramal masa depan, bisa membuat kita lebih bebas secara mental dan mampu menjalani hari-hari tanpa terbelenggu oleh kejadian yang terjadi sebelumnya.

Pada akhirnya, Maneki Neko bukan sekadar tentang keberuntungan, tapi tentang kebijaksanaan dalam memaknainya. Buku ini terasa seperti pengingat lembut untuk hidup lebih sadar, tenang, dan siap menghadapi apapun yang datang.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

After taking a long break from reading, I really appreciated how easy it is to read this book! I can see why this might not be everyone’s cup of tea, especially given its structure, but it is a really FUN read that I’d recommend this to truly anyone.

The title of the book, Maneki Nako, translates to the “lucky cat” in Japanese culture. With that being said, this book uses the history and symbolism of Maneki Nako to discuss the philosophy and importance of luck in Japanese culture, with a sprinkle of religion, psychology, and stories about the importance of luck in other Asian culture (eg, Chinese, Indian). It is comprised of many short stories or chapters. Some of my favorite chapters included ones discussing the meanings of the lucky cat and fortune cookies, as well as ones about the 4 types of luck and the 3 circle of good lucks. It provided practical and simple ways for manifest “luck”. I appreciate the simple message and fun stories, and I’d recommend this to anyone who wants a short fun read threading with wisdom rather than a dense self-help book.

[Sinjini · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is full of interesting facts about superstitious and traditional beliefs prevalent in the Japan and other far-east countries. It is a great book to read if you want to learn about the nitty-gritty of Japanese culture beyond what is commonly shown on media. The advice given in the book to improve your chances of "good luck" are pretty generic, and it is something that we all already know. So, I did not really see this book as a self-help book. It can be called a fun and cozy book to read where you delve deeper into the beliefs and customs that govern the lives of people in the far east and give them the motivation to succeed in different aspects of life.

[Yuniar Ardhist · Rating 3 out of 5]

Secara umum, tidak ada yang baru yang ditawarkan buku ini. Masalah keberuntungan memang tidak pernah ada rumusnya. Hanya kemungkinan untuk mendekatinya bisa dilakukan. Dengan persiapan, ulet, dan konsistensi. Di mana-mana memang hanya itu.

Di buku ini disajikan dengan pendekatan kultural Jepang. Yang tentu percaya dengan jimat-jimat dan takhayul.

Untuk orang rasionalis, ya hal-hal begitu tidak pernah menjadi faktor pertimbangan. Sehingga ilmu di buku ini sama seperti yang biasa didengar.

Mungkin akan memiliki pengaruh beda ketika pembacanya belum pernah mendapatkan ilmu seperti ini dan percaya dengan hal-hal di luar rasional.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a wholesome little book with a great premise, but I feel as though it was a teensy bit scattered. It didn't seem clear on what it wanted to say, though it said a lot of interesting things about assorted things! I would have preferred if it was consistent on the topic of luck in Japan and the culture surrounding that, since it's an excellent topic, but there were quite a few jumps to the concept of luck and fortune from other cultures.

Overall, a cute little book, maybe a bit vague, but enjoyable nonetheless.

[Via · Rating 3 out of 5]

Berikut adalah terjemahan dari bab selanjutnya "Risk and What We Can Control" ke dalam bahasa Indonesia tanpa mengubah konteks dan isi:

**Risiko dan Apa yang Dapat Kita Kendalikan**

Menurut Stoisisme, kekhawatiran tentang hal-hal di luar kendali kita adalah sumber ketidakbahagiaan. Filsuf Stoik Romawi yang penting, Seneca, berkata: "Keberuntungan adalah apa yang terjadi ketika persiapan bertemu dengan kesempatan." Ini berarti bahwa kesiapan adalah di bawah kendali kita, dan kita selalu dapat meningkatkan kesiapan kita untuk siap kapan pun kesempatan datang

[Elvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short chapters providing a bunch of new information for me on the subject of luck and success. Now I know why a lot of Asian restaurants have that cat statue. I found the Japanese cultural stuff fascinating, like the golden poop, the daruma, and the significance of the color red and the crane. Some other ideas were familiar. It was a good reminder that luck begins with the proper attitude and work ethic. Sometimes you need something superstitious to get that going.

[Arzu Onuklu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Japon kültürüne dair bir çok şey öğrenebileceğiniz bir kitap. Çeşitli hikayelerle şans nasıl elde edebileceğinizi anlatıyor bu yolda göstermeniz gereken 3 şey var: 1) Çaba 2) Bilgelik 3)Güven batılların bir nevi umut verdiğini söyleniyor doğru asıl şey bu üçünde gizli ayni zamanda hindistan,hongkong,çin hatta hawaii kültürlerine değiniliyor. Ve en çok da değinilen şey de çekim yasası. Hatta buna örnek olarak bilindik su hikayesi verilmiş. Türü sevenlere önerebilirim.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buku yang mudah dibaca, membahas bagaimana cara menarik keberuntungan ala orang Jepang. Dengan mitos2 dan tahayul2nya, yang ternyata punya cerita dan nilai yang selalu bisa kita ambil, jadi ga cuma sekedar jimat keberuntungan. Ada juga cerita2 lain dari negara-negara lainnya yang membahas keberuntungan. Mungkin sebagian besar sudah pernah dibahas dalam buku lain atau media sosial, tapi banyak juga kok pengetahuan baru yang aku baru tau gara-gara buku ini.

[Sinta Nisfuanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Selama ini kalau nonton film Korea, Cina dan Jepang, sering muncul simbol-simbol 'religius' yang terjelaskan di buku ini, seperti jimat kertas atau papan beratap. Maneki Neko lebih bercerita tentang filosofis dibalik benda-benda tersebut dan keyakinan beberapa tempat, tidak hanya Jepang, tentang keberuntungan.

Lumayan untuk menambah wawasan, dan pelajaran yang kusuka dari buku ini, "ubah rasa irimu dengan rasa ingin tahu."

[Cecilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read, with stories and cultural explanations. This book won't change your life as it mainly states obvious things such as, you can't sit around waiting for luck to find you, you need to make your own luck. But overall, a nice, easy read. I read it in 3 days, over Christmas, and I don't usually complete a book so quickly unless it's a mystery novel.

[Ann Gry · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book of short chapters with some anecdotes about Japanese traditions and historical facts around one main idea that you create your own luck. Unfortunately, the book is also soiled with synopses of other books, which might be of interest to some, but makes the Japanese cultural references somewhat scarce.

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

japanese literatures always have that spot in my heart. i’ve always loved it. but this time, with some new acknowledgement unlocked, we can manage to travel japanese cultures through maneki neko. the lucky cat. through the lucky cat, we can learn about how japanese perspective to their luck so we can perhaps apply them to our daily basis. a good one.

[Karli Auble · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the timeliness and simplicity that this book offered. In each short story, you learn about a good luck belief. Perhaps the best message is that luck does not happen out of no where, or very rarely. Instead, knowledge, curiosity, persistence, and effort create the good fortune we’re all desiring. Nice end to 2024.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned something new and enjoyed this well written and intriguing book. I was fascinated by the concepts and liked what I read
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

the first book i’ve read this year and a very interesting one at that! i’ve always been drawn to the lucky cat, so of course i had to grab this on my trip to brookline booksmith in boston. i’m glad i did, i really enjoyed it!

[umuttchan 花火 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uzun süredir beklediğim bir kitaptı kendisi ve sonunda çevirilmiş.İnsanların şans şans diye beklemesi cidden aptalca ,uğruna çabalamadıkça cidden nasıl rahatça bekliyorlar anlamıyorum,belki bir şans beklemek iyidir ama beraberinde azap da getiriyor .

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is easy and nice and making popular many philosophical ideas on fate and luck and destiny. It also introduces curiosities on luck from the Asian culture - like the cult of Japanese for KitKat and the alive burials as a cleansing start again rite.