Hotei is one of Japan’s Seven Lucky Gods (Shichifukjin) and is the closest thing that the country has to Santa.   Hotei is know of as the God of Happiness, or more commonly the Laughing Buddha, and like Santa, he is magnanimous and known to be generous with the gifts that he carries slung over his shoulder in cloth bag that is said to never empty.

“There is a tradition, credited by many, that if a group of strangers gather together on New Year’s Eve and ask Hotei for the same gift, provided they have strength of will and truly believe that he will grant it, Hotei will indeed give them what they ask for.”

Source, University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, Hotei by Jennifer Polden via A to Z Photo Dictionary Japanese Buddhist Statuary

Santa is not forgotten in Japan, in fact he made an appearance in a popular monthly picture book for children titled Kodomo No Tomo in 1914.   Hmm, he carries a sack of gifts too!  So Hotei or Santa in Japan – what do you think?

Kochi from Tofugu, a self described “wonky Japanese Language & culture blog”, kindly took the time to translate the caption of this lovely old Christmas scene from Japan.  It reads:

“In the middle of the night, Hanako thought (she saw) Santa came with some dolls. In the morning upon waking up, looking from her bed she saw the dolls left behind. Was Santa’s coming a dream? Or was it real?”

To read more about Christmas in Japan be sure to follow the JapanSoc Community Christmas Blog Matsuri (carnival).

Image Credit:  FLickr, Belly Laugh & Wikimedia, 1914 Santa Claus

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