Hotei Pointing at the Moon by Fūgai Ekun. A minimalist Zen ink wash painting depicting the figure of Hotei with a large sack, pointing upwards toward an unseen moon, accompanied by calligraphic text.
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Hotei Pointing at the Moon

Fūgai Ekun

1650 · Medium Not Listed

A contemplative Zen ink wash painting of Hotei, the cheerful figure of good fortune, gesturing toward the heavens.

Unavailable

Frame size
Frame color
Mount
Paper type
Glaze

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Where it works

A soft, restrained artwork with warm, lived-in color — sits lightly within the space.

Often works in
Bedroom · Gallery Wall · Study
Placement
Works well where the room has a longer visual line
Walls
Best on mid-tone or darker walls
Color notes
Soft gray

About the piece

This 17th-century Zen painting by Fūgai Ekun captures Hotei in a moment of spiritual teaching, pointing toward the moon—a classic Buddhist metaphor for enlightenment. Executed with bold, spontaneous brushstrokes and generous negative space, this work embodies the 'Zenga' style, prioritizing expressive energy and philosophical depth over literal detail.

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