| Hotei is a legendary Buddhist monk said to have lived in China from the late Tang to the Five Dynasties period. He is called “Hotei” (“Cloth Sack”) because of his large, protruding belly and the sack he is always depicted carrying on his back. His corpulent form is understood to symbolize generosity and a broad, cheerful character, and he is venerated as one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune associated with wealth and prosperity.This work depicts an auspicious design of Hotei carrying his sack, holding a uchide-no-kozuchi (magic mallet) in one hand, and standing upon rice bales. |
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