Hotei 16th-17th century

Shōkadō Shōjō created *Hotei* with ink on paper, likely during the early Edo period. The materials are deceptively simple, though demanding in use. Ink must be ground, and the absorbency of the paper, considered. Skilled brushwork brings the image to life, as we see in the figure of Hotei, the Zen monk known for his contentment. The economy of the brushstrokes speaks to an aesthetic tradition valuing spontaneity and directness, and also control. The hanging scroll format itself is part of a long material history, referencing both calligraphy and painting. It also suggests the social context in which this work would have been viewed, perhaps in a temple or private home. *Hotei* is as much about a spiritual ideal, as it is about the physical labor of its making. The subtleties of ink, the texture of the paper, the precise movements of the artist’s hand, all speak to the rich cultural significance imbued in the work. Appreciating these elements allows us to move beyond conventional boundaries of art history, and recognize the skill involved in this deceptively simple work.