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Just curious and wondering why the Chinese Buddha seems to be a big, jolly fellow while the Japanese Buddha appears to be thinner?

The obvious difference would be one speaks chinese the other one speaks japanese.

The japan Budda is a little fatter a better diet i'm sure. The religion is much the same but has a few differences. The Budda it self is the same.

The different culture of the country creates the differences. The Japanese Buddha is by nature a Japanese presentation and the Chinese has another. Even different era in chinese history molded deviation of the Buddha.

Because Japanese people made Japanese Buddha and Chinese people made Chinese Buddha,Buddha resembles each people.

because Japanese people are thinner than chinese in average. and chinese are happier, jollier. period.

Actually, you might be referring to two different Buddhas as they are different in terms of gender and personality and history:

Chinese Buddha - called Budai or "Hotei" in Japanese, is the big guy often depicted as with long ears, big tummy and big smile also known as Laughing Buddha. Budai in folklore is admired for his happiness, plenitude, and wisdom of contentment. One belief popular in folklore maintains that rubbing his belly brings wealth, good luck, and prosperity.

In Japan - the Buddha is a "She" or female, called Kwannon (sometimes Kannon or Kanzeon in old times) in Japanese language. She is called "Guan Yin" in Chinese language, also known as the Goddess of Mercy, depicted in several countries such as Thailand and Vietnam as having thousand eyes and hands.