Gotoku

Gotoku-ji, commonly referred to as Gotoku, is a Buddhist temple in the Setagaya ward of Tokyo, Japan. Located in the Gotoku-ji neighborhood, the temple complex sits near Gotokuji Station on the Odakyu Odawara Line. The temple is traditionally dated to the early Edo period (17th century) though exact records are limited. The name Gotoku derives from 五徳, or "five virtues," a reference to Confucian moral ideals associated with the temple's founding.

Gotoku-ji is widely associated with the origin of the maneki-neko, the beckoning cat statue believed to bring good luck. According to popular legend, a cat belonging to the temple's priests beckoned a passing feudal lord to approach, sheltering him from a thunderstorm under a tree near the temple. Impressed by the cat's gesture, the lord became a patron and the temple prospered; the cat is said to have died peacefully at the site, and its likeness gave rise to the modern lucky cat figurines.

Today the temple complex preserves traditional Buddhist architecture, including a main hall and gates, and it houses a notable collection of cat imagery and sculptures that celebrate the legend. The site remains a cultural and tourist destination, particularly among visitors drawn to the maneki-neko motif. The surrounding area has commercial streets with shops selling maneki-neko figurines and related souvenirs.