Since the early 15th century, a fabricated cat with an upraised paw has been considered a good luck charm in the Japanese culture. - Contributed Photo
Contributed Photo
Since the early 15th century, a fabricated cat with an upraised paw has been considered a good luck charm in the Japanese culture.

Mercer Islander’s art collection featured at BAM

By REPORTER STAFF
Mercer Island Reporter Staff
March 12, 2013 · 2:19 PM

Billie Jones Moffitt’s collection is on loan for the Bellevue Arts Museum’s “Maneki Neko: Japan’s Beckoning Cats – From Talisman to Pop Icon” exhibit, which is featured at the museum through August.

Moffitt, a Mercer Island High School graduate, donated the collection to the Mingei International Museum, in San Diego, after 25 years of collecting.

Since the early 15th century, a fabricated cat with an upraised paw has been considered a good luck charm in the Japanese culture. The show features a collection of over 150 cats, all made in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Moffitt’s parents, Jay and Mary Jayne Jones, still reside on Mercer Island.

 

Contact Mercer Island Reporter Staff Reporter Staff at editor@mi-reporter.com.

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