Sculpture of buddha Budai. Carved in wood with a layer of brown-red lacquer that is partly gilded.

The laughing Buddha, Putai or Budai, was acquired by the museum in 1915 as part of the collection brought to Sweden by Thorild Wulff. Thorild Wulff had half the building demolished to bring in this enormous sculpture. In Japan, Budai is one of the seven gods of luck and in China he is regarded as one of Buddha’s eighteen disciples. Bodhisattva Maitreya, incarnated in Budai, is a helper for life’s everyday problems. He is often depicted with children around him and as the child’s friend and protector.

Since 1915, Budai has been located in the upper landing of Röhsska Museum; it is one of the museum’s most popular exhibits, and is strongly associated with the museum. It was probably made during the Ming Dynasty and is carved in wood, with a layer of brown-red lacquer that is partly gilded. Budai, with his fantastic smile, is the museum’s good spirit. Such a giant Buddha cannot be seen anywhere else in Sweden!

Ming dynasty 1368 - 1644