Daruma だるま
The Daruma is a famous Japanese doll
modelled after a Japanese monk.
Daruma’s are usually made of papermâché, have a round shape, are hollow,
and weighted at the bottom to allow it to
return to a upright position when tilted
over.
These dolls, are usually red and look like
a bearded man. They can vary greatly in
colour and design depending on the part
of Japan they come from.
Daruma were originally designed as a toy
for children however, Daruma have
become a symbol of good luck and
perseverance to Japanese people. They
are often given as gifts to people to wish
them good luck and good fortune.
The eyes of Daruma are blank when
sold. After you buy a daruma you colour
in one eye of the doll with a black pen
and set a goal or make a wish. When
the goal or wish is fulfilled the other eye
is coloured in.
Many children's games make
mention of Daruma. Two examples
are ‘Darumasan ga koronda’ and
Daruma Otoshi. Daruma Otoshi is
an ancient game consisting of a
daruma doll in pieces, usually in
the colours of the rainbow, with five
pieces in total, from top to bottom:
head - a man's face, blue, green,
yellow, red. The game is played by
using a small hammer, and you
must hit each of the coloured
pieces, from bottom to the top,
without letting the pieces fall during
the game.