Hello, everyone around the world! It is the blog, How Unique Japan blog.
This time, we would like to talk about a famous and traditional Japanese doll. It is still popular.
That is like a red egg with a face on it. Please see the picture below.
It is Daruma!
Why was Daruma born?
So, it is called Daruma. We Japanese usually use it as a lucky charm or the Japanese Talisman.
Its origin is quite old. It was born around 1660. (Nearly 400 years ago!!). There was a Japanese (and Buddhist) monk. He created paper talismans for his neighbors and locals because Smallpox was widespread around Japan. It was a harmful season/time.
So, he drew the Daruma picture on them to protect his people from bad luck with the talismans.
By the way, why doesn’t it have any arms and legs??
Then, we need to dig deeper into the history. The Daruma was a true existing monk. (His name is the same.)
Who was the guy, Daruma?
He was born between 380 and 430 AD in India. So, the correct time is unclear. But he was famous as an influencer of Zen meditation in India and China.
While he was on his way to give a lecture on Zen meditation in China, he also challenged the truth of the world and himself with the method (meditation).
What was the method for that meditation? He just sat down on a big rock next to a cliff. Then, he stared at the cliff (wall) and asked/considered everything.
The period was so long. In the legend story, he had been doing it for almost nine years!! It sounds unbelievable!
After he was satisfied(got the enlightenment), a sad incident occurred. His arms and legs no longer worked because he didn’t move for a long time. (The other legend said the arms and legs decayed off.) That is why the doll doesn’t have a limb.
It is sad.
However, he was a great founder of Zen meditation in India. He quickly became popular among Chinese people due to that brave story. After a while, such a legend became a good lesson. It is “Be strong!!” or “Have good behavior!”. So, as Buddhism influenced our country (Japan), that legend/lesson also came in.
That is the original story of the Daruma doll.
Nowadays, the Daruma design and size have become varied. Some of them have cute faces (animals) on them instead of the original ones.
One more feature of the Daruma
Can you see the differences between those pictures?
It is obvious. That is the pupils. Why?
As already said, the doll has various meanings (charm/talisman). The Japanese usually use it in celebration ceremonies.
If someone achieves success (for example, establishing a new company, passing an election, or important exams), they will draw the pupil on the doll. It means “We did it!”.
That is why some Daruma dolls don’t have pupils.
To close
The improvement of the Daruma is still ongoing. Some collaborations with Anime characters are popular now, and artists absorb the design into their work.
If you visit Japan, take a look around. The doll might be anywhere in Japan.
Thank you very much for reading this article! Do you want more uniqueness in Japan? Please come to see the front page of our blog!
Now, we have the articles separated into four categories. They are the Japanese lifestyle, food, the Edo era, and religions!