HOTEI(BUDAI)
| Support Type: | Paper |
| Paint Type: | Ink |
| Current Location: | MOA Museum of Art, Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. The work is part of the museum’s collection and is designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan |
| Location History: | The painting dates to the 14th century (Nanbokuchō period). Mokuan Reien travelled from Japan to China and remained there; the painting is believed to have been produced during his association with Liao’an Qingyu at Benjue Temple, where Mokuan served from 1333–1343. The inscription by Liao’an Qingyu is an important basis for connecting the work to this period. |
Mokuan Reien’s Hotei (Bu-tai) reminds me of a painting that depicts some kind of spiritual message in an extremely simplified manner. What attracts me personally in this artwork is the fact that the author managed to convey a particular spiritual message using a distinct upward gesture of Hotei’s hand. Instead of merely painting another story from Buddhism scriptures, Mokuan draws our attention to the idea of seeking something bigger and more meaningful in life, which can only be achieved through spiritual elevation. Another aspect that I find interesting in this painting is the way the artist minimises all other elements in order to emphasise the upward gesture. The simplicity of the image and the lack of details in the background create an illusion of emptiness and transparency. It makes the viewer focus on the figure of Hotei and his gesture, which represents the desire to seek truth. It seems like the figure is in between the material and spiritual worlds, which, as we know, is a central point in Buddhism. Finally, I would like to say a few words about the brushwork and the way the figure of Hotel was depicted. Mokuan managed to simplify the image to the bare minimum, thus making it recognizable but not realistic. From my point of view, such brushwork makes the painting lively and straightforward. Mokuan did not try to portray the exact look of Hotei, but emphasized his character and gesture, which gave the painting its unique appeal.To conclude, I would like to state that Hotei (Bu-tai) by Mokuan Reian is a painting full of meaning and spirituality. The simplicity of the image, the lack of details, and the focus on Hotei’s gesture, which symbolises the search for the spiritual world, are the main reasons why I chose this artwork.