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Bronze figure, okimono, of Hotei, with fan and stand. He has hoju on top of his head, a lucky symbol. He has a sack on which are engraved and inlaid snowflakes; similar motifs on his robe but smaller. The fan he carries has emblems of the sun and the moon. This type was used by warriors in battle and later as umpire's fans in sumo wrestling. Inscription on base: 'Dai Nippon. Yoshida-zo (=made by Yoshida). Kyoto.' Unusually this is written left to right. Hexagonal stand on three legs. On the front leg is a golden inlaid dragon motif. Above it on the flat of the stand a peony.