この俳画は、満面の笑みを浮かべた布袋（ほてい）を描いたもので、彼の無邪気で屈託のない姿が、見る者の心を和ませます。布袋は、七福神の一柱として知られ、大きな袋を背負い、笑顔で諸国を行脚したと伝えられる実在の僧がモデルです。彼の袋には福が詰まっているとされ、福徳や円満の象徴とされています。右に記された「富在知足（とみはちそくにあり）」は、「真の富は足るを知る心にある」という東洋の思想を表す言葉です。物質的な豊かさではなく、今あるものに満足する心こそが人を幸せにすると説いています。この絵は、布袋の飄々とした姿を通して、無欲と感謝の心こそが豊かさであることをユーモラスに、そして深く伝えてくれる作品です。
This haiga depicts Hotei (Hotei) with a big smile on his face, and his innocent and carefree appearance soothes the viewer’s heart. Hotei, known as one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune, is modeled on a real-life monk who is said to have traveled around the country carrying a large sack on his back and a smile on his face. His sack is said to be filled with good fortune and is a symbol of good fortune and happiness. The phrase “Tomi wa chisoku ni ari (Wealth is found in Chisoku)” inscribed on the right is an expression of the Eastern philosophy that “true wealth lies in the mind that knows how to be content. It teaches that it is not material wealth, but the mind that is content with what one has, that makes one happy. Through Hotei’s aloof appearance, this painting humorously and deeply conveys that selflessness and gratitude are the key to wealth.
