Hotei, from the series "Comparison of the Treasures of the Gods of Good Fortune (Fukujin takara awase)"

Art Historical Context

In this vibrant color woodblock print from around 1795, Chôbunsai Eishi captures Hotei, one of Japan's beloved Seven Gods of Good FortuneShichifukujin), in the series *Comparison of the Treasures of the Gods of Good Fortune (Fujin takara awase)*. Hotei, the portly god of abundance and laughter, is depicted with his signature oversized belly, bald head, and magical cloth sack overflowing with treasures—symbols of prosperity and contentment. Eishi, a master of the ukiyo-e tradition during Japan's Edo period, skillfully contrasts Hotei's joyful form against elegant patterns and subtle gradients, inviting viewers into the whimsical world of these protective deities. Printed in the large oban format (38.5 × 25.7 cm), this work exemplifies the technical brilliance of woodblock printing, where intricate carved blocks were inked in multiple colors and layered to create rich, nuanced hues. Eishi's refined style, known for its graceful lines and harmonious compositions, bridges the bold drama of earlier ukiyo-e artists like Utamaro with a softer elegance, making popular folklore accessible to everyday audiences through affordable prints. Culturally, the Shichifukujin series reflects late 18th-century Japan's fascination with good fortune amid urban prosperity, often carried as talismans for luck. Hotei's endearing image, now housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, reminds us of timeless wishes for joy and plenty.

About the Artist

Chôbunsai Eishi · 1756–1829

Chôbunsai Eishi, born Hosoda Tokitomi in 1756 to a prosperous samurai family of the Fujiwara clan in Edo, inherited a substantial stipend of 500 koku of rice annually. His grandfather had served as the shogunate's Treasury Minister, and upon his father Hosoda Tokiyuki's death in 1772, Eishi became family head while holding a position in Shogun Tokugawa Ieharu's palace from 1781. Unusually for a uk...