Hotei Figure Made of Bizen Ware
Sold – no longer available
This piece was a handmade one-of-a-kind work. It cannot be reordered and will never exist in this form again. The page stays online as part of our archive.
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Details about the sold piece
- Height 25 cm
- Width 16 cm
- Weight 2250 g
- Color Brown
- Item Type Figure
- Material Ceramics
- Style / Tradition Bizen-yaki
- Unique Work Yes
No longer available
Description
With a broad, benevolent smile and a bulging sack of fortune slung over the shoulder, this figure embodies Hotei, one of the seven Japanese gods of fortune, who stands for contentment, prosperity, and joviality. The deeply carved laugh lines around the eyes and mouth, as well as the exposed, round belly, are among the classic features of this popular depiction.
Made of unglazed Bizen ware, the surface of the figure shows the warm, earthy brown coloring typical of this firing technique, which arises solely from the wood-fired kiln and the ash deposits, entirely without glaze or additional painting. This centuries-old tradition from Okayama Province is counted among the six ancient pottery towns of Japan and is known for its distinctive, natural aesthetic. Each figure acquires its own unrepeatable color nuance through its individual position in the kiln.
The flowing robe with its deeply cut folds and the finely worked details such as toes and ears attest to the craftsmanship that went into this one-of-a-kind piece. As a symbol of fortune and joie de vivre, this Hotei figure is equally suited as an eye-catcher in the living space and as a meaningful gift.
