https://emuseum.cornell.edu/internal/media/dispatcher/77787/fullHotei19th century15/16 x 1 x 1 3/8 inches (2.4 x 2.6 x 3.5 cm)Carved woodBequest of Carl A. Kroch, Class of 193599.089.0250Hotei, an eccentric 9th century Buddhist monk from China, sits laughing in his cloth bag, in which he usually carries his treasures. "Fukurokuju" (happiness, prosperity, long life) -- three Chinese characters meaning the star of fortune, the star of wealth, and the star of longevity -- is vertically inscribed on scroll held across the front of the bag by Hotei. Although Hotei's big belly is hidden, note his spherical earlobes, which are common in depictions of gods. The stitch lines along the cloth bag are incised, along with the signature reading "Hokei" on the back. Two circular perforations on the bottom.Costume21683537312Japanese99.089.025_Disc0404_04046001