Lucky charms have a long tradition in Japanese culture and can be seen on many bags, backpacks, in homes and elsewhere. Normally purchased at temples, many people believe in the power of charms and therefore there are quite a lot of charms for different occasions, for example success in school or at work. Today we’ll talk about one of the most popular charms of all: Daruma.
Darumas are still usually made of papier-mâché, have a round shape, are hollow and weighted at the bottom so that they will always return to an upright position when tilted over. In Japanese, this kind of toy is called Okiagari, meaning to get up (oki) and arise (agari). This characteristic has come to symbolize the ability to have success, overcome adversity, and recover from misfortune.

The Daruma doll is a hollow, round, japanese doll, modeled after Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism. These dolls, though typically red and depicting a bearded man, vary greatly in color and design depending on region and artist. Though considered a toy, by some, Daruma has a design that is rich in symbolism and is regarded more as a talisman of good luck to the Japanese. Daruma dolls are seen as a symbol of perseverance and good luck, making them a popular gift of encouragement. The doll has also been commercialized by many Buddhist temples to use alongside goal setting.
When purchased, the eyes are white so a person can decide on a goal or wish and paint one eye in. Once the goal is achieved, the second eye is filled in. The current popular symbolism associated with Daruma as a good luck charm in part originated with the Daruma dera in the city of Takasaki.

There is an annual Daruma Doll Festival, held by the city of Takasaki in celebration of being the proclaimed birthplace of the Daruma doll. The celebration is held at the Shorinzan, the name of Takasaki’s “Daruma-Dera”. According to the Takasaki city website, “Over 400,000 people from all over the Kanto Plain come to buy new good-luck dolls for the year. Takasaki produces 80% of Japan’s Daruma dolls.” The festival also features a 24-hour reading of sutras by the Shorinzan monks for world peace.
Have you ever seen a Daruma doll? You should get one if you need a little bit of luck!