Japan History and Culture

Daruma dolls (Bodhidharma)
Daruma dolls are symbols of good luck, hope and optimism.

Daruma is short for Bodai Daruma, the Japanese rendering of the name. These are spherical dolls with a red painted body and a white face. Paint in one eye with a black pen, make a wish and when that wish comes true, paint in the other other eye. Daruma are often used by people wishing to pass exams, win an election or conceive a child.

Daruma dolls usually made of paper mache, weighted on the bottom so they always stand up, even when pushed- symbolic of Bodhidharma’s persistence in meditation. There are many versions of Daruma in the various localities of Japan, some of them designated as female-”ehime daruma,” or “princess daruma.” One type is made with a gofun face and rich fabrics like a kimekomi ningyo, but shaped like a Daruma; these often come in boy-girl pairs.

They represent the Zen monk Bodhidharma. Takasaki’s Shorinzan Daruma Temple is the birthplace of daruma dolls as good luck charms.