Hotei布袋尊
Many visitors · happy marriage and familyA perfectly round head and a plump body. Said to be modeled on a Zen monk who really lived in China, he is loved in Japan as one of the Seven Lucky Gods. Known for the big cloth bag he carries, his broad smile and generous heart have made him the god of many visitors, a happy marriage and a happy home.
I had Hotei hold an autumn salmon, Hokkaido's signature catch, to make clear that this is a treasure ship of the Hokkaido sea.
His robe is red and green, with a blue lining at the belly, giving a bold red, blue and green scheme. Red carries the shippo pattern, green the seigaiha, and blue the karakusa vine, each filled with auspicious patterns.
With his big smile, I painted him wishing everyone much happiness.
Main patterns on the robe
- Shippo (red robe)
- Circles overlapping by a quarter and linking without end: harmony, good relationships and ever-widening bonds.
- Seigaiha (green robe)
- Gentle waves spreading endlessly; a wish for a peaceful life that continues forever.
- Karakusa (blue lining)
- Vines stretching without end; long life and the prosperity of the family.
- Autumn salmon
- Hokkaido's signature catch. Because salmon return to the river where they were born, I also painted it as a sign of good fortune coming back.
* The blessings and meanings of the patterns are based on long-held tradition and are not a guarantee of any effect.
