The story of Anne Hamilton-Byrne’s cult The Family has been told in a non-fiction book and documentary, a novel, In the Clearing, and now a Disney+ series. What can stories like this teach us?
Hotei hands out gifts to children.
Detail of print by Kuniyoshi Utagawa, 1798-1861, via Wikimedia Commons
The Seven Lucky Gods usher in good fortune in the new year in Japan. Among them, Hotei plays the most prominent role, for he is considered not just a lucky god, but also a buddha.
In Japan, children look forward to a visit from Hotei, a jolly Japanese god with a rotund frame.
Ganref
Hotei, a Japanese god who carries a large sack, has come to be identified with Santa Claus – except that he brings the goodies on New Year’s Day instead of Christmas.