beneath soft spring light at a quiet shrine, a brother and sister stop in their tracks. before them sits a maneki-neko, its left paw gently raised, as if inviting warm encounters and yet-unmet friends. the little sister gazes up with shining eyes, while her brother leans forward, smiling, sharing in her wonder: “maybe this cat is calling something good our way.” to “招” (to invite) is not only to call someone over — it is to turn your heart toward the future, and to open your hands so that new connections can softly arrive. the gentle anticipation of good fortune, and the quiet thrill of a spring visit to the shrine.

Collecting this kanji brings these jukugo closer ✨