Children Blowing Up Hotei’s Belly and Painting It Like Candy 1882

Curator: Welcome. Today, we are observing the woodblock print "Children Blowing Up Hotei's Belly and Painting It Like Candy," created in 1882 by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi. Editor: Right away, I get a feeling of exuberant chaos! It’s like a sugar rush distilled into ink and paper. What's happening here? Curator: Precisely! We see children gleefully inflating the belly of Hotei, one of the Seven Lucky Gods, and then proceeding to decorate it. Note the exquisite detail in the children’s expressive faces and clothing, set against the exaggerated form of Hotei's stomach. Editor: It’s wonderfully absurd, like a benevolent explosion of childhood energy and play. Is Hotei bothered by any of this? He looks almost asleep... Curator: Hotei is often seen as embodying contentment and generosity. The artist employs strong compositional balance—the active children counterbalance Hotei’s large, central mass. The visual effect results in this vibrant interaction. Editor: Yes, you can tell he must represent joy. Is that balloon a symbol for him and happiness being light and care free? I notice those strange symbols or decorations being painted on it, maybe as an addition to how joyous he his and supposed to make others. Curator: Intriguing associations to unpack in relation to this character, to be sure. I am noticing in the print, in relation to those shapes and motifs we both have referenced, how we see circularity dominates here. There's Hotei's rotund belly, echoed in the painted designs, suggesting continuity and abundance. Editor: Absolutely, and the circular shapes amplify the feeling of endless play. I find myself feeling like one of those kids right now ready to play! Curator: What do we glean when observing works of this genre like the one on display? They offer this fascinating blend of folklore and humor. Editor: Right? It’s that wink that draws me in—the way it honors tradition while also poking gentle fun. I think that combination makes it both approachable and incredibly endearing. Curator: Indeed. Thank you for articulating so simply what pulls at the strings within us that these works manage to do. Thank you both for joining us for this reflection. Editor: And thanks for bringing us along on such a sweet diversion! I really did need this moment of joy to carry forward with me today.