5.1 Inch Daruma Tumbler - Japan Zen Buddhist Bodhidarma

Description

"Fall down seven times, get up eight." This popular Japanese proverb is closely associated with Daruma, the historical Buddhist monk Bodhidharma, who lived during the fifth or sixth century AD. Daruma is credited with founding the Zen sect of Buddhism, which he is believed to have introduced to China. Legends say that Daruma achieved enlightenment after meditating for seven years without blinking or moving his eyes, either in a cave or a temple, staring at a wall. One tale even claims that in his frustration with fatigue, he tore off his eyelids, which then sprouted into China's first green tea plants. His long meditation reportedly caused his arms and legs to wither, leaving him as an armless, legless, and eyelidless (yet enlightened) figure. The Japanese admire Daruma for his spirit and determination. Each New Year, many buy a paper-mâché Daruma tumbler doll to help them persevere toward their goals. The dolls come with unpainted eyes, allowing the owner to paint in one eye at the start of a new goal. The doll is then placed in a prominent spot at home or work to serve as a reminder to stay focused. Japanese students often use Daruma dolls to motivate their studies, placing a one-eyed Daruma on their desks as a symbol of their commitment. Once the goal is achieved, the second eye is painted in, marking the completion of the journey. Daruma dolls that have fulfilled their purpose are typically brought to a temple to be ceremonially burned.

About the Listed Item

This large-size (please see size information below) hand-crafted and painted Daruma figure was made in Shizuoka, Japan by a small Japanese family who specialize in the old style manufacture of these very unique dolls.  The figures are created in the old family workshop where each doll is formed of papier-mache on a hand-carved wooden mold before being moved to an open air courtyard to dry and harden in the sun.  The doll is then cut from the mold requiring yet another layer of wet papier-mache to seal the cut.  Once more the figure is allowed to dry before being taken into the shop to be hand-painted red and flesh tone with dark black beard and eyebrows and golden body accents.  The only area of the doll left unpainted are the eyes in order that the person who buys the Daruma may use the unpainted eyes to help them achieve some important goal.  Each doll is cleverly weighted on the bottom allowing Daruma to right himself when tipped.  In an era when many traditional Japanese crafts are, in fact, mass produced outside Japan this very special Daruma represents a increasingly rare chance to acquire an authentic piece of Japanese culture made the old fashioned way, by a small family business operating near the foot of beautiful Mt. Fuji.  Please see the size chart below and click on the links to see this figure in other sizes!

Approximate Size:
Height: 5.1 inches (13 centimeters)
Weight: 4.4 ounces (127 grams)

Note: Each of these hand-crafted dolls is unique and therefore the authentic Daruma figure you receive will differ slightly from the doll photographed for this listing.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Please contact us anytime if you have questions or concerns about purchases made on this site.

• By Email: dinnerbytheriver@gmail.com
• By Phone: +1 949-466-0864
• Ship From Address:
  Art Hills Yada 501
  4-1 Yada, Suruga Ward
  Shizuoka City, Shizuoka
  Japan 422-8002

RETURN POLICY

• Eligibility: To be eligible for a return, the item must be unused, in its original condition, and returned within 60 days from the date of purchase.
• Return Process: To initiate a return, please contact us via the email or phone number above and within the specified return period. You will be provided with instructions on how to proceed.
• Return Shipping: Customers are responsible for the shipping costs associated with returning the item, unless the return is due to a product defect or error on our part.