招财猫的形成、演变及在中国的传播

The Formation,Evolution and Spread of Fortune Cat in China

猫从中国传到日本,先在皇宫贵族家中被当作宠物豢养,后来寺院用以消除鼠患。由于猫的价格昂贵,江户时代初期在养蚕农户中产生了以猫绘驱鼠的巫术行为。各种猫助人、猫报恩的传说推动了招财猫信仰的流行,出现了供奉猫的猫寺。烧制陶瓷招财猫成为一种产业,招财猫也由神龛供奉走向店铺摆放。近现代招财猫从日本传入中国,曾出现在上海、中国台湾等地,但并未流行开来。20世纪末招财猫再次传到中国沿海城市,随后流行全国,成为商家特别喜爱的招财、招福、招好运的吉祥物。除了摆放在柜台、收银台上的陶瓷招财猫,还衍化出布偶、挂件等样式,却并未形成招财猫信仰,而只是一种时尚性、祈福性的吉祥物。招财猫在中国如何演变,尚需持续观察。

Cats were introduced to Japan from China and were first kept as pets in the royal family,then used in temples to eliminate rodents and protect books.Due to the high price of cats,the witchcraft behavior of drawing cats to drive away rats occurred among silkworm farmers in the early Edo period.All kinds of legends about cats helping others and repaying the benefactor have promoted the popularity of the belief in Fortune Cats,and many cat temples dedicated to cats appeared.By the late Edo period,firing ceramic Fortune Cats became an industry,and Fortune Cats were also placed in shops from shrines.In modern times,Fortune Cats were introduced to China from Japan and once appeared in Shanghai but were not popular.At the end of the 2oth century,Fortune Cats were spread to the coastal cities of China again,and then became popular among citizens,especially businesses all over the country,becoming a mascot with the nature of recruiting wealth,fortune and good luck.In addition to the ceramic Fortune Cats placed on counters and cash registers,it has also evolved a variety of styles,such as puppets and pendants,which are popular among primary and secondary school students.But China hasn't formed the belief of Fortune Cats,it is just a fashionable and blessed mascot.How Fortune Cats will evolve in Chinese society needs continuous observation.