来る福
Kuru fuku
Good fortune coming your way
September 29 is Maneki-neko Day. At Ise's Okage Yokocho, the annual beckoning-cat festival celebrates the date's playful association with 来る福 (kuru fuku), good fortune arriving.
来る (kuru) means to come; 福 (fuku) means good fortune. Together, 来る福 (kuru fuku) suggests good fortune arriving. 招き猫 (maneki-neko) is the beckoning cat associated with this playful reading of September 29.
Wordplay can make a date easier to remember—and give an everyday number a little character.
Practice:
招き猫に、来る福への願いを込める。
Maneki-neko ni, kuru fuku e no negai o komeru.
Place a wish for approaching good fortune in a beckoning cat.
Sources:
Okage Yokocho: Maneki-neko festival and September 29: https://okageyokocho.com/main/bunka/manekinekomatsuri/