Daruma-san - make my wish come true

Today I'd like to write about a japanese talisman called daruma-doll.

About one month ago I was looking for a birthday present for a friend who is studing the contemporary Japan and who really would like to go on an exchange to Japan. I didn't really know what to buy her but then in a japanese store I saw these little guys - daruma-dolls. On the spot I knew it was the perfect present because the daruma-doll is supposed to fullfill one's desires.

A daruma-doll is usually made of  papier-mâché & is weighed at the bottom so when the doll is tilt over it will bring itself to an upright position again. Here is a short video about the making of daruma-dolls I found on youtbe.

The legend of Bodhidharma
The tradtition of the daruma-doll goes back to an indian monk called Bodhidharma. Bodhidharma was practising a deep about nine years lasting meditation to gain satori (buddhistical enlightenment). In this time he suffered from muscel atrophy which caused his legs and arms to fall off. Another legend tells that during his meditation he fell asleep and he was so angry about this so that he cut off the lids of his eyes. After the eyelids fell on the floor next to Bodhidharma it is said that the first teaplant has sproutet from them.
So that's why the daruma-dolls comes with no legs, arms or eyelids.



Make a wish
To let the your wish become true you need to color one of the daruma-doll's eyes at which men color the left and women color the right eye. Then you should place the doll anywhere you are walking by everyday so that you are always reminded of your wish. When your wish has come true you color the other eye. Then the daruma-doll is usually burned in a tempel or shrine.


The ceremony of burning the daruma-doll's (Daruma Kuyo) is held once every year right after New Year's Day in japanese temples & shrines. After the burning new daruma-doll's are bought for the next year to bring fortune & to fullfill new wishes of the owner.




I hope you enjoyed reading & I hope to see you soon again on my blog :-)