The history of the establishment of the gotokuji temple is commenced when an Emperor from Hakone met a cat that hospitable to come to a temple. Even though the journey toward Tokyo, Caesar Hakone also welcomed the offer. Without allegedly, He followed the request a cat which in fact brings luck for him.
This shrine ideally already built around the year 1480 and become part of the Setagaya palace which claimed by Kira Klan .
Then this temple had abandoned pasture for many years before finally re-built by a samurai as well as ruler named Naomasa Ii (other versions story mention the name Naotaka Ii and Naosuke Ii) on the 17th century.
therefore it appears some versions of the story of the history of the Gotokuji temple and Naomasa who bore the legend maneki adventurous. The most popular version is about a priest in the temple of the Gotokuji who keep cats and white named Tama.
A when torrential rains, Naomasa and his course that unintentionally passing the area and they shelter under the tree near the Gotokuji temple. Then Naomasa saw the first white cats that is located in the temple area, give mark with shaking his feet as being called himself.
Although not sure that cats is really called him, Naomasa then went near the First and it is the time when the tree where they shelter was affected by the lightning struck. Because he felt that he had been saved by Naomasa first and then rebuild the temple and make the temple as Gotokuji funeral area to the family size.
He then made an altar to begin, even when the first close age, cats are buried in the area of the temple. The legend of the First has brought luck for Naomasa then spread.
Finally the figure is first lifted up his feet is considered as a symbol of luck, and enshrined in the form of the statue known as maneki neko.
Even though the location is located in an area suburb of Tokyo, this temple never Few visitors. The visitors who come with a wide variety of hope always overflowed temples. with buy (board for writing prayer) picture with the cat. Then write your request and hang in the place that has provided
this shrine can be accessed by only walking around 10 to 15 minutes. It is located a little far from where the other Tokyo tour, but still interesting to visit.
