< Daruma in Japan

• Introduction
• Background
• Beginning of Zen
• 28 Indian Patriarchs
• The Enlightenment
• Daruma’s Directive Go to China
• The Meaning
• Emperor Wu
• Shao-lin
• Skin Flesh & Bones
• The 2nd Patriarch
• The 6th Patriarch
• The Mumonkan
• Zen to Japan
• Daruma in Japan

I n Japan Daruma is part of everyday life. Above is a clay Daruma which I first saw in my father-in-law’s business in the small town of Obara. Its about 18 inches tall. I carried it back in my lap on the airplane. People might get one at the New Year from a temple or when one starts a new venture or business. It comes with no eye and one draws one eye in and makes a wish. If it comes true then the other eye is drawn in.

Daruma is ubiquitous in Japan, he is a part of everyday life, inside houses, in businesses, on advertising, kids toys, and on and on. Below are some of the Daruma objects I have picked up.

 

1. A childrens game in which one tries to knock out the bottom piece, one by one until only the upright Daruma head is left standing.

2. A child's toy with a spinning top.

3. Two wooden dolls I purchased at Asakusa Kannon Temple at one of the little shops in the approach to the Senso-ji Temple.

4. A Daruma amulet for your mobile phone.

5. Daruma fans for a hot summer day. I believe that the image on the left fan is by Niten, the name used by Musashi, a famous Japanese swordsman, for his drawings.

6. A Daruma sake cup.

7. A Daruma hashi (chop stick) stand.

8. A glo-in-the-dark bumper sticker for your car.

9. A greeting card made from torn paper. (Torn paper is a traditional art form in Japan.)