Kagamibuta Netsuke: Hotei

1865/1935

Object

FIU Frost Art Museum

Florida International University

Kagamibuta netsuke is shaped like a manju, but with a metal disc serving as a lid to a shallow bowl, usually of ivory. The metal is usually decorated with a variety of metallurgical techniques. Hotei is the legendary god of happiness, laughter and the wisdom of contentment. Hotei is almost always shown smiling or laughing. His name means "Cloth Sack," and comes from the bag that he is conventionally depicted as carrying.

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The Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum, Florida International University