Plaster Statue of Hotei, Laughing Buddha, Shōwa Period, Japan.

Plaster statue of Hotei, also known as the Laughing Buddha, from the early Showa period.

Dimensions: height 32 cm, width 20 cm, depth 17 cm.

This cheerful bringer of good fortune adds an authentic and traditional Japanese accent to any stylish interior.

Hotei, also known as the Laughing Buddha, is a legendary figure in Japanese folklore and Buddhism. He is depicted as a chubby, bald man with a big smile, carrying a cloth sack. Hotei symbolizes happiness, abundance, and contentment. Rubbing his belly is believed to bring good luck. He is associated with happiness, generosity, and fulfilling wishes. Hotei is considered one of the Seven Lucky Gods in Japanese mythology and is revered for his teachings on contentment and compassion.