Japanese Daruma Doll

Japanese Daruma Doll

This piece belonged to mom and has sat in the display case a long time. Mom was Buddhist and would attend church once a year. This one is just a plastic one, and has a place for a scroll. I will show a nice wooden one soon.

The history of the daruma doll is kinda weird and long winded. You will learn why it's round and has strange eyes...

THE BASICS- THE SHORT EXPLANATION
A daruma doll is a Japanese doll, normally made of paper mache. It has a round shape and wide opene eyes, that are inspired by the Buddhist monk Bodhidharma. It symbolizes perseverance and success. A Daruma allows you to make a goal and achieve it. Usually the daruma is placed in the fire at the end.

THE LONG STORY - VEERSION 1
There's 2 opinions, here's the first...

A Buddhist monk named Bodhidharma, lived between the 5th and 6th century A.D. and was the founder of Zen Buddhism in Japan. He was originally from India.

"His story is intertwined with legends and exists in different versions (as most Japanese stories do), which leaves a mystery around his origins and life."

During his pilgrimage, he stopped at a Shaolin monastery in China. That is where he developed the teaching of Chan Buddhism and the practice of the Shaolin kung fu.

Once again continuing on his pilgrimage, he needed enlightenment and found a cave. There, he spent nine long years observing the cave wall, in a sitting position, without moving and without closing his eyes.

After 9 long years in this position, he lost the use of his arms and legs. Other versions say they fell off. This is why the doll has no arms or legs.

There is a Japanese proverb "nanakorobi yaoki" which can be translated as "fall seven times, get up eight times". The daruma doll is round and always returns to an upright position, similar to the proverb.

THE CAVE - VERSION 2
This version is a little more disturbing...

At the end of the 7th year, the monk was exhausted and fell asleep. When he awoke, he was very upset about his weakness and lack of discipline. To ensure that this would never happen again, he cut off his eyelids!

According to the legend, the place where he threw his eyelids..green tea plants grew. Buddhist monks have since been drinking green tea to stay awake and meditate.

***I'll link some history in comments***