'
Already I was beginning to ask myself whether it was possible to make
a confidant of this inscrutable cynic. 'You are fond of Oriental
things?' I said, wishing to turn the subject. I looked round at the
Chinese, Indian, and Japanese monstrosities scattered about the room.
'That,' said he, pointing to a picture of a woman (apparently drunk)
who was amusing herself by chasing butterflies, while a number of
broad-faced, mischievous-looking children were teasing her--'that is
the masterpiece of Hokusai. The legend in the corner is "Kiyo-jo cho
ni tawamureru," which, according to the lying Japanese scholars,
means nothing more than "A cracked woman chasing butterflies." It was
left for me to discover that it represents Yoka, the goddess of Fun,
sportively chasing the butterfly souls of men, while the urchins, the
little Yokas, are crying, "Ma! you're screwed."'
'But what are these quaint figures?' I asked, pointing to certain
drawings of an obese Japanese figure, grinning with lazy good-humour
above several of the cabinets.
'Hotei, the fat god of enjoyment.
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