Hotei
- proper noun
- /hoʊˈteɪ/
- Literature
- Many people believe that Hotei brings good fortune and prosperity.
Examples
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[ ♪ TOMOYASU HOTEI - "BATTLE WITHOUT HONOR OR HUMANITY" ♪ ]
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In Japanese culture, Hotei is celebrated as a symbol of happiness and generosity.
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Do you want to come back to the hoteI, Frank?
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Well, while you were at the Metropolitan Opera last night, I just happened to be walking through your hoteI room and I dropped this in your pocket.
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That was Tomoyasu Hotei with an incredible rendition of the Japanese national anthem to welcome us all to the first round of the Pride 2000 Grand Prix tournament.
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Artists often depict Hotei as a joyful, plump figure with a big smile.
Synonyms
A smiling, large monk in Chinese stories who brings luck
Compounds
- Specialized
A small bamboo from southeast China that bends easily and is grown in gardens
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word Hotei comes from the Japanese reading of a Chinese name Budai, which means 'cloth bag', because this smiling man is always shown carrying a big sack. That sack held food and gifts, so Hotei became a clear symbol of 'happiness', 'abundance' and 'good luck'.