The Image of Japanese “Daruma”: Origins, Relationship with Buddhism, Shape, History, Role, Cultural Value, Symbolism, and Enduring Significance

1. Introduction

In Japanese culture, the daruma is instantly recognizable with its round shape, limbless appearance, and determined expression, widely known as a symbol of good fortune and indomitable spirit. Deeply rooted in Japanese tradition, the daruma is cherished by many as a talisman for perseverance in achieving goals. Its origins can be traced back to Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism, combining spiritual significance with historical background.

The visual characteristics of the daruma are deeply ingrained in Japanese society, becoming a concise means of expressing concepts such as determination and good fortune. The fact that multiple sources point to its high recognition suggests that the daruma is a universal symbol seen in various settings from Japanese homes to commercial facilities and even pop culture. Additionally, the daruma’s dual nature as both a talisman and a promoter of personal effort in goal-setting reflects an important feature in Japanese cultural values. It can be said that the concept of seeking external help while emphasizing individual effort is embodied through the existence of the daruma.

2. Origins: Bodhidharma and the Birth of the Image

The image of the daruma is closely tied to the legend of Bodhidharma, known as the founder of Zen Buddhism. A Buddhist monk who lived during the 5th to 6th centuries, Bodhidharma is widely recognized as the person who brought Zen (known as “Chan” in China) to China and laid the foundation for Zen Buddhism in East Asia. Among the legends surrounding Bodhidharma, particularly famous is the tale of him meditating facing a wall for nine years, symbolizing his extraordinary discipline and unwavering concentration.

It is said that this extended period of immobile meditation had significant effects on his physical body. According to some traditions, his limbs atrophied during this time, which is cited as the direct reason for the limbless shape of daruma dolls. Another legend claims that Bodhidharma cut off his eyelids to prevent himself from falling asleep during his rigorous meditation, which is often cited as the reason for the daruma doll’s large, wide-open eyes without pupils. Historically, Bodhidharma was often depicted in Buddhist art as a bearded figure wearing red robes, which aligns with the traditional appearance of daruma dolls.

The adoption of these dramatic legends of Bodhidharma (loss of limbs and cutting of eyelids) in the design of daruma dolls appears to be a deliberate focus on themes of extreme patience and self-discipline. These stories are visually powerful and embody the concept of overcoming physical limitations for a higher purpose, resonating deeply with Japanese cultural values. While the daruma doll models Bodhidharma, it is a popular image interpreted and adapted through Japanese cultural understanding and artistic expression. The doll’s exaggerated eyes and specific patterns of facial hair (described later) are not literal reproductions of the historical Bodhidharma or his depictions in Buddhist art, but rather stylized interpretations that have evolved over time.

3. Round Shape: Symbol of Indomitable Spirit

One of the most characteristic elements of the daruma doll is its round shape and weighted bottom. This design ensures that the daruma will always right itself when knocked over. This self-righting ability is directly associated with the Japanese proverb “Nanakorobi Yaoki” (Seven falls, eight rises), which means “no matter how many times you fall, always get back up,” symbolizing the spirit of overcoming difficulties and persevering with effort.

The design of the daruma doll resembles an earlier Japanese toy called “Okiagari Koboshi” (self-righting little priest) that became popular in the Kinki region in the mid-17th century. The Okiagari Koboshi was also a small, round doll that rights itself when knocked over, and its origins are thought to go back to a similar toy called “Budaoweng” (never-fall doll) from China during the 14th to 16th centuries. The Japanese word “okiagari” itself means “to get up” or “to rise,” emphasizing the symbolism of indomitable spirit common to both Okiagari Koboshi and daruma dolls.

The adoption of the round shape from Okiagari Koboshi suggests cultural continuity and adaptation to an existing symbol of indomitable spirit. This implies that the concept of “never giving up” was valued in Japanese culture even before the emergence of the daruma doll. The fact that both Okiagari Koboshi and daruma dolls embody the same self-righting principle indicates that the concept was passed down and reused in a familiar and meaningful form. Also, the visual metaphor of the daruma doll always rising back up represents the abstract concept of perseverance in a powerful and understandable way, making it an effective motivational tool. The physical action of the doll immediately rising when knocked over serves as a constant and concrete reminder of the importance of bouncing back when faced with setbacks.

4. Introduction to Japan and History of Diffusion

The daruma doll as it is known today is believed to have originated in the late Edo period around the late 18th century, primarily in the Takasaki region of Gunma Prefecture. Some sources suggest that the production of daruma dolls began in the 17th century. Shorinzan Darumaji Temple in Takasaki played a crucial role in the development of the daruma doll tradition.

It is said that the founder of Darumaji Temple created and distributed talismans depicting Bodhidharma at New Year’s. Later, the 9th head priest, Togaku, during the Meiwa era (1764-72), provided wooden molds for visitors to create their own daruma talismans in response to the demand for new talismans each year, which is likely the beginning of the three-dimensional papier-mâché daruma dolls. The popularity of daruma dolls greatly increased during the Edo period (1603-1868), and by the 19th century, they were widely recognized as symbols of good fortune and wish-making.

In the Takasaki region, where sericulture flourished in the 19th century, daruma dolls became even more popular among farmers wishing for good harvests. They regarded the daruma as a local guardian deity. The annual Daruma Market held at Shorinzan Darumaji Temple attracted people from all over the Kanto Plain, contributing to the spread of daruma dolls. In the 18th century, paper daruma dolls also began to be made in Edo (present-day Tokyo) as good luck charms, and subsequently spread throughout the country. Today, Takasaki City remains Japan’s largest producer of daruma dolls, accounting for about 80% of the national production.

The fact that the origins of daruma dolls are deeply tied to a specific religious institution (Shorinzan Darumaji Temple) and regional economic activity (sericulture) demonstrates the interaction between religious beliefs, local community needs, and the development of folk crafts. The historical narrative makes it clear that the temple’s creation of talismans and farmers’ reliance on luck for good harvests contributed to the emergence and early popularity of daruma dolls in the Takasaki region. The expansion of daruma dolls from a regional craft to a national symbol likely involved religious pilgrimages to the Daruma Market, growing belief in their efficacy as good luck charms, and the development of travel and trade routes in the Edo period and beyond. While sources mention the role of the Daruma Market, further research would be needed on other socioeconomic factors that contributed to their nationwide spread.

5. Daruma in Daily Life: Goal Setting and Pursuit of Good Fortune

In modern Japanese daily life, daruma dolls play an important role in goal setting and seeking good fortune. A common modern practice associated with daruma dolls is the ritual of painting their eyes.

Generally, when setting a goal or making a wish, one paints one of the blank eyes (usually the left eye from the doll’s perspective). The other eye is only painted when the goal is achieved or the wish comes true. This practice serves as a visual reminder of the goal, symbolizing determination and perseverance in achieving it.

Daruma dolls are used as talismans for various purposes, including business prosperity, academic success, health, romantic fulfillment, and protection from misfortune. They are often given as encouraging gifts on occasions such as birthdays, promotions, and New Year’s. Politicians may use large daruma dolls during election campaigns and paint in the eyes upon winning.

The eye-painting ritual transforms the daruma doll into a personal and active participant in goal setting, giving the owner a sense of responsibility and visual motivation. The act of physically marking the doll represents commitment to the goal, and its incomplete state (with only one eye painted) serves as a constant reminder until the goal is achieved. The wide range of uses for daruma dolls in modern life demonstrates their adaptability and continued relevance as a cultural tool for achieving various personal and professional aspirations. The diversity of applications, from business to personal well-being, suggests that daruma dolls have transcended any potential original specific purpose to become a general symbol of goal achievement across various domains.

6. Folk Culture and Cultural Significance

Daruma dolls occupy an important position in Japanese folk culture, symbolizing luck, happiness, resilience, and perseverance. The annual “Daruma Kuyo” (Daruma memorial service) held in places like Shorinzan in Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture, involves people bringing their old daruma dolls for a ceremonial burning with gratitude.

This ritual symbolizes gratitude for the past year’s efforts, releasing the daruma’s spirit, and creating space for new goals and wishes for the coming year. At the Hatsuichi Festival in Maebashi City, old daruma dolls are also burned, and new ones are purchased at the first market of the new year. Historically, in the late Edo period, the red color of daruma was also associated with warding off diseases, particularly smallpox, reflecting folk beliefs about color symbolism and divine favor.

The Daruma Kuyo ritual emphasizes the cultural practice of acknowledging the completion of a cycle and ritually preparing for a new beginning, reinforcing the connection between the doll and personal growth and the passage of time. The act of burning old dolls, whether goals were achieved or not, signifies letting go and being ready to embrace new challenges, consistent with the themes of perseverance and renewal. The historical association of daruma dolls with protection from disease indicates their integration into broader folk beliefs about health and well-being beyond goal achievement, supporting their deep cultural roots. This historical role suggests that daruma dolls once addressed broader needs and anxieties within local communities, contributing to their deep cultural rootedness.

7. Decoding the Symbolism: More Than Just a Doll

The design of daruma dolls incorporates deep symbolism. Their blank eyes, facial hair symbolizing longevity (crane and turtle), traditional red color, and other color variations each carry meaning.

Blank eyes: Daruma dolls have white eyes without pupils when purchased. These symbolize promises or goals not yet achieved. The act of painting one eye represents setting a goal, and painting the other eye indicates its achievement. Some associate this with Bodhidharma’s enlightenment or the legend that he cut off his eyelids to avoid falling asleep during meditation. The Japanese phrase “opening both eyes” represents the realization of goals or enlightenment.

Facial hair: Daruma dolls typically have stylized facial hair. The eyebrows are designed in the shape of a crane (tsuru), and the cheek hair in the shape of a turtle (kame) shell. Both crane and turtle are symbols of longevity in Japanese culture, embodying the proverb “The crane lives for a thousand years, the turtle for ten thousand years.”

Color: The traditional color of daruma dolls is red. Red is considered a lucky color in Japan, associated with good fortune, wealth, prosperity, and warding off evil spirits. Historically, it was also associated with recovery from illness, particularly protection from smallpox.

Other colors: Over time, daruma dolls have become available in various colors, each with its own meaning:

• Gold: Wealth and prosperity.
• White: Purity and new beginnings, balance, harmony, affection, health, safety.
• Black: Protection from negative influences/evil spirits, business success, motivation.
• Green: Health and longevity, strong will.
• Blue: Career success, victory in sports and competitions, academic achievement.
• Yellow: Dream realization, safety and protection, economic prosperity.
• Pink: Romance and love, affection in relationships, happiness.
• Purple: Personal growth or health, longevity, career success, self-improvement, enlightenment, inner peace, harmony.
• Orange: Academic success or prosperity.
• Silver: Safe childbirth.
• Turquoise: Success in exams and personal challenges.

Other design elements: Daruma dolls often have the characters “Fuku-iri” (happiness enters) written on the bottom, meaning “happiness will come.” On larger daruma dolls, wishes such as household safety, wish fulfillment, and business prosperity may be written on the parts corresponding to the ears.

Table 1: Symbolism of Daruma Doll Colors

The complex symbolism embedded in the design of daruma dolls demonstrates a sophisticated cultural system of meaning, with each element contributing to the overall significance as a talisman and motivational tool. The detailed explanation of eyes, facial hair, and colors reveals how deliberate and multi-layered symbolism is given to the doll, connecting it to themes of perseverance, longevity, and specific wishes. The diversification of daruma doll colors reflects a modern adaptation of tradition to address a wider range of individual needs and desires, suggesting dynamic evolution to maintain the cultural symbol’s relevance. The emergence of specific colors for different wishes indicates an individualization of the daruma tradition, allowing individuals to select a doll that matches their specific goals.

8. Why an Enduring Symbol? The Endless Charm of Daruma

The reasons behind the enduring popularity of daruma dolls and their continued relevance as a symbol in Japanese culture lie in the expression of key values of perseverance, determination, and goal pursuit. The connection to the respected Bodhidharma provides a historical and spiritual foundation.

The simple yet meaningful eye-painting ritual offers a concrete way for individuals to engage with their wishes and track progress. The presence of daruma dolls in various aspects of Japanese life, from homes and businesses to festivals and pop culture (literature, film, anime, manga, video games), reinforces their cultural significance and maintains relevance across generations. Their role as encouraging gifts further strengthens their positive cultural associations. The annual Daruma Kuyo ritual provides a regular ceremony that reinforces the connection between the doll’s symbolism and the cycle of goal setting and achievement.

The enduring popularity of daruma dolls can be attributed to their ability to embody abstract cultural values in a concrete and engaging form, making these values accessible and relatable to individuals in everyday life. The dolls function as tangible symbols that people can engage with through the eye-painting ritual, fostering a personal connection to the broader cultural concepts they represent. Daruma dolls have made a remarkable transition from primarily religious and regional symbols to more secular and nationally recognized icons, demonstrating their adaptability and ability to resonate with a broad range of people for diverse personal and aspirational reasons. While their origins are rooted in Buddhism and a specific region, their widespread use for various goals and their presence in pop culture indicate broader cultural integration beyond their initial context.

9. Conclusion

Originating from the legend of Bodhidharma and the tradition of Takasaki, the daruma doll has evolved into a powerful symbol of indomitable spirit and good fortune in Japan. Its unique round shape and eye-painting ritual embody the spirit of resilience and determination in achieving goals. From its limbless form to the meaning of colors and facial features, the symbolism-rich daruma doll occupies an important place in Japanese folk culture, celebrated in festivals and used in daily life as a source of motivation and a symbol of the “ganbaru” (persevere) spirit. The enduring popularity of daruma dolls indicates how deeply embedded they are in the fabric of Japanese culture, continuing to represent core values and encourage individual efforts to achieve wishes.