In Japan, children look forward to a visit from Hotei, a jolly Japanese god with a rotund frame. Ganref As Christmas approaches, children in many parts of the world look forward to a visit from the ...

It’s the most wonderful time of the year again in Japan, and Santa Claus is coming to town. It may surprise some readers, but the big jolly man is quite popular in Japan. In 2020, All Nippon Airways ...

Hotei or Pu-Tai is better known as the Laughing Buddha. The image of Hotei is based on a Chinese Zen monk who lived over 1000 years ago. It was due to his large protruding stomach and smile that he ...

The Great Buddha of Hotei is seen lit up in blue to celebrate Japan's WBC victory, in Konan, Aichi Prefecture, on March 22, 2023. (Mainichi/Shinichiro Kawase) KONAN, Aichi -- The Great Buddha of Hotei ...

New Delhi: The Laughing Buddha also known as Hotei in Japan or Pu-Tai in China is thought to be based on an actual wandering Chinese monk who lived at the time of the Liang Dynasty (907-923 AD). He is ...

(The Conversation) — Hotei, a Japanese god who carries a large sack, has come to be identified with Santa Claus – except that he brings the goodies on New Year’s Day instead of Christmas. (The ...

As Christmas approaches, children in many parts of the world look forward to a visit from the potbellied Santa Claus, who comes down chimneys carrying a sackful of gifts over his shoulder. In Japan, ...