Figure Standing Hotei Figure Made of Bizen Ware with Sack

With an unmistakably cheerful facial expression and a round, contented belly, this Bizen ware figure embodies Hotei, one of the seven Japanese gods of fortune, who stands for prosperity, generosity, and joy of life. The broad, laughing mouth, the raised cheeks, and the bulging sack slung over the shoulder are typical attributes of this popular figure, rendered here with palpable lightness.

The unglazed, warm reddish-brown shimmering surface of the Bizen ware bears a beautifully, evenly matured patina that lends the piece its particular warmth and depth. Hand-crafted in the Meiji period, the figure displays the earthy, unembellished aesthetic typical of Bizen-yaki, in which the texture of the fired clay body itself becomes a formative element. A small piece is missing from the sack's cord, which is not unusual for an antique of this age and does not detract from the overall impression of the figure.

As a hand-crafted one-of-a-kind piece without counterpart, this Hotei figure is an atmospheric representative of the Japanese Bizen ware tradition and an endearing bringer of good fortune for any lover of Far Eastern craft art.