Daruma

Bodhidharma is the name of the Buddhist monk who brought Zen Buddhism from India to China and Japan. The Japanese call him Daruma for short.

Legend says he meditated in a cave for seven years, eventually achieving Enlightenment. He meditated so long that his arms and legs fell off.  Because of this, the Japanese portray him with a round body, and associate him with perseverance. People purchase these dolls at the New Year, or whenever they have a goal to persevere towards.

When you receive a doll, make a wish and fill in one eye. When your wish comes true you fill in the other eye. The Japanese believe that looking at your Daruma with one eye filled in will remind you of your goal or dream, and inspire you to go after it.

Because the Daruma's body is round, if he gets knocked down he bounces back again. This represents a person's ability to bounce back from adversity. A Japanese proverb is, "Nana korobi, ya oki." Which means, "Knocked down seven times, bounces back EIGHT!"

The above story comes with every DARUMA, so they make the perfect gift!

Please email us first to make sure we have Daruma in stock, and for a quote on shipping.

TO ORDER YOUR DARUMA, call us at our Retail Store Old Japan in Lenox, MA , between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. (EST), and give us your order, along with your Credit Card information and shipping address. Our phone number is 413-637-3300. DO NOT SEND CREDIT CARD INFORMATION OVER THE INTERNET. We have no security programs in place. Or you can send a check or money order for the correct amount. When your check clears we will ship your order. Out of state checks will take 7 business days to clear.

We only ship U.P.S. ALL SALES ARE FINAL. NO REFUNDS OR EXCHANGE. If you live in Massachusetts, you must add 5.00 % Sales Tax to the above amounts.

(pictured together to show size)