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The most popular legend that I have seen about these little guys is this (in nut shell):
A long time ago, there was a poor temple in Setagaya in Tokyo. The priest had a cat named Tama, despite his lack of wealth.
One day, Naotaka Ii, a lord from near Kyoto, was passing by and was caught in a shower. The cat sat near the gate and beckoned Ii into the temple. When Ii went to see the strange cat, the tree he had been sheltering under was struck by lightning.
The lord became the temple's patron, and the temple prospered.
When Tama died and was buried on the temple's grounds, the Maneki Neko ("beckoning cat" or "lucky cat") was created in it's honor.
It is a very popular symbol of luck, wealth, health, and visitors. Which paw is raised means different things, as well as the height of the paw. Also, the color is special. But I won't go into all that and bore you! This particular one is inviting visitors and warding off evil spirits.
The Maneki Neko Club seems to have lots of good info. That's were I got the legend from.
Enjoy!
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