Hotei

Hotei is a beloved figure in Japanese Buddhism and popular religion, based on a legendary Chinese monk named Qieci who lived during the late Tang and Five Dynasties period in what is now Ningbo, Zhejiang Province. He is instantly recognizable by his enormous belly, cheerful expression, and the large cloth sack he carries wherever he goes. In Chan Buddhism, he came to be identified with the future Buddha Maitreya, and his cult spread from China to Vietnam, Korea, and Japan.

In Japan, Hotei holds a special place as one of the Seven Lucky Gods, a group of deities associated with good fortune, prosperity, and happiness. He is frequently depicted in ink paintings and temple iconography, and his image is commonly encountered at shrines, temples, and in everyday decorative art. His rotund form and ever-present smile have made him one of the most recognizable religious figures in East Asia.

Hotei embodies joy, abundance, and contentment, and stories about him often highlight his love of food, drink, and the company of ordinary people. His cloth sack is said to be filled with precious gifts and the wishes of those who venerate him. Though sometimes confused in the West with Gautama Buddha, Hotei is a distinct figure whose warmth and generosity continue to inspire devotion across East Asia.