Daruma
Rich in symbolism and regarded as a talisman of good luck and perseverance to the Japanese people. Making them a popular gift of encouragement.
They are typically made of papier-mâché.
Modelled after Bodhidharma, the founder of the Zen tradition of Buddhism. Each daruma design, (particularly the shape, colour, eyes and facial hair) have their own history and symbolic meaning dependent on area of make and artist.
Gold kanji on the front often reads fuku-iri, meaning bringing luck.
When purchased, the figure's eyes are both blank white. The owner selects a goal or wish and paints in the left eye of the figure's two eyes with Chinese or Japanese ink. Once the goal is achieved, the right eye is filled in.
The tradition is to keep the daruma for a year and burn it afterward to express gratitude and to release the Kami (divine spirit) that resides within it.
When in Japan, I had hoped to get to the Shorinzan Darumaji Temple in the city of Takasaki - purported to be the place of origin of these dolls in the 17th century.
Sadly it was not to be, but enjoyed seeing this large one in the foyer of our hotel in Tokyo.
Around 30 cm in height.
© All rights reserved.
Daruma
Rich in symbolism and regarded as a talisman of good luck and perseverance to the Japanese people. Making them a popular gift of encouragement.
They are typically made of papier-mâché.
Modelled after Bodhidharma, the founder of the Zen tradition of Buddhism. Each daruma design, (particularly the shape, colour, eyes and facial hair) have their own history and symbolic meaning dependent on area of make and artist.
Gold kanji on the front often reads fuku-iri, meaning bringing luck.
When purchased, the figure's eyes are both blank white. The owner selects a goal or wish and paints in the left eye of the figure's two eyes with Chinese or Japanese ink. Once the goal is achieved, the right eye is filled in.
The tradition is to keep the daruma for a year and burn it afterward to express gratitude and to release the Kami (divine spirit) that resides within it.
When in Japan, I had hoped to get to the Shorinzan Darumaji Temple in the city of Takasaki - purported to be the place of origin of these dolls in the 17th century.
Sadly it was not to be, but enjoyed seeing this large one in the foyer of our hotel in Tokyo.
Around 30 cm in height.
© All rights reserved.