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HOTEI - God of Contentment & Happiness
In West, known as the Fat Buddha or Laughing Buddha
Origin China
Chinese Name Budai or Putai
Said to be an incarnation of Miroku Bosatsu
Miroku in China is known as Miluo Fo (or as Miluo Pusa)
Hotei is one of Japan's Seven Lucky Gods
 
   
Male. The god of contentment and happiness, Hotei has a cheerful face and a big belly. He is supposedly the only member of Japan's Seven Lucky Gods based on an actual person, and he is also probably the most widely recognized outside of Japan. He carries a large cloth bag over his back, one that never empties, for he uses it to feed the poor and needy. Indeed, the Japanese spelling of "Ho Tei" literally means "cloth bag." He also holds a Chinese fan called an oogi (said to be a "wish giving" fan -- in the distant past, this type of fan was used by the aristocracy to indicate to vassals that their requests would be granted). Hotei is based on an eccentric Chinese Zen beggar priest, said to be an incarnation of the Bodhisattva Miroku (Maitreya in Sanskrit).
Hotei is sometimes shown surrounded by a group of small children, romping and squealing in delight around his rotund shape. For many more details on Hotei, click here for story by Jennifer Polden.
In recent times, Hotei is also referred to as the patron saint of restaurateurs and bartenders. When one over eats and over drinks, one may sometimes jokingly attribute it to Hotei's influence.
ASSOCIATIONS
Small human children near his feet
L to R Daikoku, Ebisu, and Hotei
Hotei in Kamakura Shop Window
 
Hotei stone statue found at Zenyo-in (Inatori City)
Ivory Hotei in collection of
Andres Bernhard AKA Rapick - Italy
Hotei, by Kano Yukinobu
Courtesy of:
www.baxleystamps.com/litho/sr/fafe_2.shtml
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