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	Beckoning Cat (conclusion)
				These cats are everywhere, but, paradoxically, that's probably why I never would have noticed them if a friend hadn't given me one when he heard I was heading for China. I found out that the legend of the beckoning cat has its roots in Japan, where a cat is said to have lured benefactors to a Buddhist temple. The beckoning cat is a symbol of good fortune, and shopkeepers everywhere put up these statues to beckon potential customers to come in and do business. I saw them for the first time in New York City this past summer when I was studying Chinese.  You might see them, too, if you look for them in the windows of oriental stores or restaurants in your hometown.
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