EPISODE · Feb 18, 2025 · 1H 4M
How did Hello Kitty help fight the rise of underage escort services?
from Seemingly Unrelated
Is there a secret, dark history lurking behind those friendly lucky cat statues that welcome you into your favorite Chinese take out place?This week on Seemingly Unrelated we dive into the Maneki-neko, aka Beckoning Cat, aka Lucky Cat, which has become a symbol of pan-Asian businesses around the world. All in pursuit of answering the question: why is this guy so popular?We'll explore the potential heroic legend of the Maneki-neko, it's brief stint as a symbol of the Yoshiwara pleasure district in Tokyo, a journey through an oft ignored mass migration of servants to the Americas, and a special visit from Hello Kitty who is apparently not actually a cat?!Find out all the secrets, and maybe some get some good fortune with episode 11 of Seemingly Unrelated!Subscribe to the audio only version on:https://shows.acast.com/seemingly-unrelatedFind the videos on Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@seeminglyunrelatedpodWant even more Seemingly Unrelated content? Get bonus episodes for as little as $2/month and find all the sources we used for this episode on our Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/c/SeeminglyUnrelated Seemingly Unrelated is a podcast all about exploring how everyday things connect to major movements in history, politics and culture.🎵 Subscribe to the show everywhere 📽️ Find the videos on Youtube🎰 Want even more? Get bonus episodes for as little as $2/month and a list of sources for this episode on our Patreon Follow us on Substack Instagram TikTok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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How did Hello Kitty help fight the rise of underage escort services?
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