Antique sculpture of the god Hotei with gumbai. Ceramics, glaze, painting. The stand is made of wood. There is a signature of Kutani workshops. Japan, the twentieth century.

Hotei is one of the seven eastern gods of happiness, the god of fun, communication, in whose canvas bag good luck and goodness are hidden. The figure of the "laughing Buddha" is designed to fill the house with wealth, his appearance is always expected with hope. After all, long-awaited prosperity comes with it. Here Hotei is depicted with a gumbai (gyoji fan), which is used to send signals, previously such combat fans were used only by high-ranking officials and to repel enemy arrows.