Hotei

hanging scroll

Japanese Collection

Accession Nr.: 1336
Type: painting; hanging scroll
Artist/Maker:
Date of production:
19th century
Edo (Tokugawa) period or Meiji era
Place of production:
Acquisition: collected by Péter Vay
Materials/Techniques: ink and colours on silk
Dimensions: height: 141.5 cm
width: 32.2 cm
mirror: 67.9 × 28 cm
The Hotei (布袋,’bag carrier’) is shown wading through water that reaches to the middle of his thighs. In his right hand he holds a large staff, while with his left hand he supports the enormous canvas bag on his shoulder, in which he carries all kinds of treasures or a collection of worthless odds and ends.