Daruma

Daruma is a traditional good-luck charm in Japanese culture, symbolizing the fulfillment of wishes and the determination to rise again in the face of adversity. This figure, known as a papier-mâché doll with a rounded, weighted base, traces its origins to Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism, and holds both spiritual significance and an important role in various cultural rituals in Japanese society.

Daruma (Pexels)

Definition and General Characteristics

Daruma is a type of doll that, due to its round shape and low center of gravity, can be knocked over but always rights itself. The Japanese proverb “Nana korobi ya oki” (Fall seven times, rise eight) clearly expresses the resilience and determination embodied by this object. Its ability to return to an upright position symbolizes the need to persist and try again when facing difficulties.

Traditionally, daruma is made in red, a color in Japanese culture associated with warding off evil spirits and illness. In modern times, new designs in black, white, and multicolored variants have become widespread.

Origins and Historical Development

Connection to Bodhidharma

The name “daruma” derives from the Japanese pronunciation of the Sanskrit word Dharma. Bodhidharma, regarded as the founder of Zen Buddhism, is believed to have sat in meditation for years without blinking his eyes; the large eyes and strong facial expressions of daruma dolls are a stylized representation of this figure.

Emergence in the 18th Century

The use of daruma as a talisman became widespread in the first half of the 1700s and gradually established itself as a protective good-luck charm in both homes and workplaces.

Meaning and Uses

Wish Ritual: Painting the Eyes

Daruma dolls are sold with blank eyes. When a doll is purchased:

• While making a wish, the left eye of the daruma (the right eye from the viewer’s perspective) is painted. This practice is called kaigan (opening the eye).
• When the wish is fulfilled, the other eye is painted; this is known as mangan (completing the wish).

This method allows the daruma to function symbolically as a witness to the wish, while also reinforcing the individual’s own determination.

Good Luck and Protective Function

Daruma is used for wishes such as:

• Recovery from illness,
• Academic success,
• New business ventures,
• Family safety.

It is commonly placed in a visible location within the home.

Manufacturing Process

Takasaki Daruma Tradition

Approximately 900,000 daruma dolls are produced annually in Japan, with the center of production located in Takasaki, about 100 kilometers north of Tokyo. Takasaki has a tradition of daruma-making that spans over 200 years.

Traditional Method

• Washi paper, moistened with water, is applied to a wooden mold.
• The mold is dried in the sun.
• After the mold is removed, the parts are assembled and shaped.

Modern Method: Vacuum Molding

• A metal mold is placed in a water tank.
• A mixture of water and paper pulp is drawn into the mold to form the daruma shape.
• The form is dried in the sun.

All painting stages are still done by hand; the beard, eyebrows, and facial features are drawn using traditional techniques.

Daruma (Pexels)

Modern Daruma Designs

Since the 2010s, designer daruma have emerged, using colors such as matte black and white instead of traditional red. These modern designs are produced using:

• Eco-friendly materials such as recycled paper,
• Contemporary visuals such as street art, kabuki motifs, and Mexican-themed patterns.

Designs featuring Italian words “cadere” (to fall) and “rialzarsi” (to rise again) demonstrate the universal message of resilience conveyed by the daruma.

Hatsuichi Matsuri: The Daruma Festival

Every year on January 9, the Hatsuichi Matsuri, held in Maebashi city in Gunma Prefecture, continues a tradition dating back to the 1600s.

Festival Features

• Old daruma dolls are burned in a large ceremonial fire as an expression of gratitude.
• New daruma dolls are purchased for the coming year.
• The festival’s origins lie in the first market rituals of merchants who sought prosperity in the silk trade.

The ceremony begins with a thanksgiving fire at the Hachiman Shrine, followed by a portable shrine carrying the spirit of the market deity being carried through the streets.

Cultural Significance of Daruma

Daruma is regarded in Japanese society as an object that unites religious and cultural symbols. It represents:

• Determination and patience,
• Wishes and goal-oriented focus,
• Protection from misfortune,
• Community unity in social rituals.

Through both traditional and contemporary forms, daruma continues to be one of Japan’s most recognizable cultural icons.