Daruma doll - Japanese traditional craft, bringer of good luck


	Daruma doll - Japanese traditional craft, bringer of good luck

Feature of Daruma doll

		One of the most popular talismans of good luck in modern Japan is the armless, legless, and eyeless Daruma doll, or tumbling doll. It is made of paper mache, weighted on the bottom so it always stand up, even when pushed- symbolic of Bodhidharma's persistence in meditation. This has the meaning of standing up positively even if failing, and has the meaning of reaching the objective. Moreover, the design such as sho-chiku-bai, cranes, and turtles assumed that the history is good from old times is given to the pattern of the face.

History of Daruma doll

In about the 5th century, DARUMA - Father of Zen Buddhism - obtained realizing at the end when he sat for nine years toward the wall, and the teaching was succeeded from generation to generation by apprentices, spread to China, and to Japan.
In 1697, Daruma-ji temple was founded by Priest Shinetsu to here Takasaki.
He drew The Zen meditation image of the DARUMA and it comes to be distributed at the New Year of every year, and it is assumed that it is a start of the Takasaki Daruma doll.
About end of the 18th century, Yamagata Goro carved initial Daruma doll getting a hint from the type by Priest Togaku, and he put Japanese paper on it afterwards.
At the Meiji era when the sericultural industry became active, Daruma doll was requested to pray that they were able to harvest a lot of silk threads.
Afterwards, it arrived at the present age, and the tumbling doll became necessary indispensable as guard that prayed for the business prosperity.
Daruma-ji temple

Takasaki Daruma doll

About 80% of the production of Daruma doll of Japan is made in Takasaki City here.
Takasaki City is almost located at the center about Japan in the local city in Gunma Prefecture.
Sericulture was an active region here for a long time.

Daruma fair There is a Daruma-ji temple at the Mt.Shorinzan in Takasaki City, and the fair is held on the 6th and January 7 every year.
It crowds with the people who buy the Daruma doll from the Japanese whole country. Manufacturing process of Daruma doll

Usage of Daruma doll

The Daruma doll is newly bought once a year usually.

Bought state
Paint the single eye black
while wishing.
Paint the another eye
when the wish is suitable.

Decoration example

Decoration example of Daruma doll
at home
at office
at shop

at noodle shop
at barber
at show window

Takasaki Daruma doll

About 80% of the production of Daruma doll of Japan is made in Takasaki City here. Takasaki City is almost located at the center about Japan in the local city in Gunma Prefecture. Sericulture was an active region here for a long time. There is a Daruma-ji temple at the Mt.Shorinzan in Takasaki City, and the fair is held on the 6th and January 7 every year. It crowds with the people who buy the Daruma doll from the Japanese whole country.

Usage of Daruma doll

The Daruma doll is newly bought once a year usually.

Bought state	Paint the single eye black while wishing.	Paint the another eye when the wish is suitable.

Decoration example

at home	at office	at shop

at noodle shop	at barber	at show window