Hotei ( Budai )

Hotei ( Budai )

JAPANESE VINTAGE 1980's

A magnificent portrayal of Hotei ( Budai ) his right hand pulling a large cloth sack on which 2 rats of gold colour sit expectantly.
His left hand balancing his wooden staff on which hangs his gold coloured gourd, around his neck a string of gold coloured prayer beads.
A straw hat and flowing robes are seen on the reverse.

Signed: Masaharu (Inlaid on the back of the cloth sack is the seal mark )

Complete with original Tomobako (box)
Box Reads: Ko Gata Chu Zo - Lost Wax Process
Sho Fuku - Bringing Good Luck
Masaharu - Artist name and seal mark

Condition: Excellent. No damage., No repairs.

Refer Large Images for details, quality and condition, they also form the description.
Depending on your computer monitor / phone / etc colour may vary to actual.
Dimensions are maximum measurements

Height About: 15.3 cm
Width About: 33 cm
Depth About: 10.0 cm

A$2,250

This stunning piece is an outstanding example of the process known as Lost Wax Casting in fine detail.

Chinese Budai. A semi-legendary itinerant 10th-century Buddhist monk who became a popular subject in Chinese and Japanese ink painting.

He lived on Mt. Siming 四明 in Mingzhou 明州, Fenghua 奉化, where he frequently strolled through a nearby town carrying his large cloth bag.
Thus he earned his affectionate nickname, "Priest Budai."
Although originally he was said to have filled his bag with anything he encountered on his wanderings, later Zen interpretations speak of Budai's "empty bag."

In Japanese popular culture Budai's bulging bag and contented appearance led to his inclusion in the Seven Gods of Good Fortune. In painting Budai is shown with sparse hair, a smiling face, a large bare belly, loose garments and carrying a bag and wooden staff.