Page 33 - Bonhams September 11 2018 New York Japanese & Korean Works of Art
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HAKUIN EKAKU (1685-1786)
Hotei with a treasure sack
Edo period (1615-1868), 18th century
Hanging scroll, ink on paper with Hotei holding his open treasure sack on which are
inscribed the characters Fukuju kai muryo (A limitless ocean of good fortune and
happiness), sealed Kokantei, Hakuin and Ekaku
With a wood storage box
10 1/8 x 12 3/4in (25.7 x32.4cm)
$10,000 - 15,000
The great priest and painter Hakuin probably depicted Daruma, the Indian founder
of Zen Buddhism, more often than any other figure subject, but he was perhaps
even fonder of Hotei (“Cloth Bag”), the jolly wandering Chinese monk who, in
Hakuin’s art, stands in part for Hakuin himself and in part for Everyman, with all
his foibles and virtues. Here he is shown seated, mostly obscured by his immense
treasure sack, which he holds wide open, clenching one edge between his teeth.
On the bag is written the phrase Fukuju kai muryo, an expression meaning limitless
happiness, and a reference to Hotei’s open treasure bag endlessly dispenses good
fortune in the form of gifts.
32 | BONHAMS
