Maneki Neko [Bicycle] Red Gilded

Hi, my name is Edisun Sun. I am a person who is constantly inspired by traditional elements, especially those of the Japanese tradition. No matter if it’s the beautiful vistas, the food or just the Japanese culture in general, I have always been fascinated by the way how fully it has been preserved in the tradition. There are many symbols that one could mention when talking about Japanese culture. Cherry blossoms, kimonos, tea ceremony, they all have a very deep meaning behind them. However, the one that must be the luckiest and happiest must be the Maneki Neko (the Japanese Lucky Cat). Maneki Neko is a traditional cat-shaped decoration, which has been highly esteemed especially in the Edo period more than 400 years ago. This is my first deck of cards and therefore I chose this lucky charm as the theme in the hope of portraying our never-ending pursuit of happiness. Bicycle Maneki Neko has two versions, Blue and Red. The overall style is subtle and beautiful but also manages to show the cat’s cute and mischievous nature. Red Edition The red and blue versions are designed to be quite similar, with differences in small details. - The red color is also derived from the Ukiyo-e style and appears bright and vivid. - The design looks as if it’s spreading around from one central point, adding a sense of dynamics to the illustration. - Instead of Mount Fuji, the red version has a torii gate, symbolizing the channel for gods through which they can pass on blessings to the people. Each of the version is sealed with a sticker, which is also decorated with a lucky cat. The blue version uses a silver sticker, while the red a gold one. The overall style is consistent with the Ukiyo-e style and appears light and easy on the eye.