When traveling throughout Japan, you will not miss the red bearded, bushy eyebrow, barreled shaped Daruma-daishi or Daruma Doll beside the cashier, on keychains. Some even welcome you as you enter a shop or generally looking down from a shelf high above while you enjoy a meal in the restaurant.
MASCOTS around Japan : The Daruma Doll
When traveling throughout Japan, you will not miss the red bearded, bushy eyebrow, barreled shaped Daruma-daishi or Daruma Doll beside the cashier, on keychains. Some even welcome you as you enter a shop or generally looking down from a shelf high above while you enjoy a meal in the restaurant. Comes in all size, Daruma dolls to the Japanese are a charm for perseverance and also good luck.
Daruma-daishi or Daruma Dolls as we call them.
President Abe with Daruma Dolls Photo Credit The Japan Times. Noticed that the Daruma Dolls eyes are empty?
Cute Daruma Key Chains
THE HISTORY ……
Created by the 9th priest of Daruma-dera (Temple of Daruma) also known as Shorinzan Temple in the city of Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture north of Tokyo for locals as yearly good luck charms. It solves the problem of having to create a different charm each year! Each feature on the Daruma-daishi has its aesthetic symbolism and some rules to follow in order for the charms to come to past. Till this day, 80% of Daruma dolls are produced from Takasaki itself.
Shorinzan Darumaji Temple at Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture
Yushima Tenjin Shrine with Daruma ema.
THE AESTHETICS ASPECT ……..
The doll itself reflects the life of Bodhidharma hence the name Daruma-daishi and is normally made out of papier-mache. The barrel like shape is hollow and heavy at the bottom, will always remains upright when tilted translates to overcoming adversities. The phrase “Nanakorobi Yaoki” means seven times down, eight times up! The colour Red is said to be akin to the red robe worn (red only by high ranking priest) by Bodhidharma who helped ease in the smallpox which was contagious at that time in Japan and caused many death. The eyes of Daruma is the most interesting! Focuses on the reason why these dolls are so popular. Upon acquiring a new Daruma doll its eyes are blank orbs which one have to write its wishes on one eye. This is to encourage Daruma to fulfill the wish. When the wish is fulfilled then the other eye is filled signifying that the goal has been successfully achieved. Now the facial hair is not just some bushy facial hair drawn on the Daruma doll! It’s a symbol of longevity embodied by the animals. The eyebrows are shaped as crane and the beards as tortoise following a Japanese proverb – the crane lives 1000 years, the tortoise 10,000 years.
Daruma Eyebrows of Crane and Beard from Tortoise
Painting by Utagawa Kunisada Year 1857. Daruma Dolls Coming to Life: Actor Nakamura Kodanji IV as Daruma. Photo Credit Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
The Japanese monk puts the finishing touch.
THE IMPORTANCE …………
Daruma Doll festivals can be found happening all over Japan each year. There are three largest festivals, known as the Three Great Daruma Fairs of Japan (Nihon Sandai Daruma Ichi). There are held at Shorin Zan Daruma-ji Temple (Takasaki City, Gunma) on 6 & 7 January, Jindaiji Temple (Tokyo) 3 & 4 March and Imai San Myohoji Temple (Fuji City, Shizuoka) 7th to 9th Japanese Lunar Year. Daruma Kuyo – a ceremony of burning the Daruma that was purchased at the beginning of the year happens a day after New Year’s Day. It is to express gratitude to the old and purchase a new Daruma for the year ahead.
Who would have thought the tiny Daruma doll found all over Japan could hold such important significance. These celebrations are the perfect way to experience the lesser known traditions of Daruma-daishi.
Shorinzan Daruma-ichi Festival
Dondo Yaki is the custom of burning old lucky items such as Omikuji or Daruma dolls in the middle of January at Shinto shrines across Japan.
Dondo Yaki in Nagano Prefecture.
Purchasing Daruma Doll at Mihara Shinmei-ichi Daruma Festival.
Halloween Daruma and Tuxedo Daruma
Solar Powered Swinging Daruma-Side
Special Daruma Bento only at Takasaki Station and Joetsu Shinkansen trains.
