Antique sculpture "Hotei and Gingko". Their tree is made. In this work, the mythical deity is depicted against the background of the sacred gingko tree. There is a stamp of the manufactory. Southeast Asia, XX century.

Hotei is one of the seven gods of happiness. In Japanese mythology, Hotei is responsible for the general well-being. He is also the god of communication and fun. It is very common to see his image in popular netsuke figurines.

Ginkgo means "silver fruit" in Japanese. In Japan, ginkgo is revered as a sacred tree of temples and tombs. Its unusual two-lobed golden leaves resemble a fan, and the seeds of the plant are used in Japanese cuisine. There is a legend that, dying, the nurse of Emperor Naihaku-Kojo asked to plant ginkgo on her grave so that her soul would settle in this beautiful tree.