The corpulent deity is laughing, comfortably seated on his sack his left hand holding it, his right hand resting on his knee. His jolly countenance is accentuated by a slight frown and a small tilt of the head. The figure is decorated in iron-red, blue, green and black enamels. Hotei, known in China as Budai, was a 9th or 10th century Chinese Zen Buddhist monk, who was later deified as a god of good fortune. Hotei is recognizable by his large belly and his-equally large bag containing his possessions which he carries everywhere. His name is a pun: Hotei literally means "cloth sack". Hotei became a favorite subject for Japanese and Chinese artists as early as the 13th century. From the late 17th to early 18th century, porcelain figures were shipped to Europe from Japan, ordered by the Dutch East India Company and the private trade. They were models of human figures, animals, mythical creatures and gods. Including Hotei, the god of good fortune and happiness.

Hotei figure
hand painted porcelain
Edo period circa 1700
Japan

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