Japanese Daruma (だるま) Culture

Arashi has recently introduced a new iconic design combining Daruma with Arashi turbocharger. We’ve chosen Daruma as the icon because Arashi shares the same value as its spirit. The Daruma doll is known as one of Japan’s most popular talismans, symbolizing perseverance and good luck, and representing persistence and realization of your dreams. The doll usually has round shape, bold facial features, and signature wide-open eyes. 

History & Origin of Daruma
A Daruma doll is a Japanese traditional doll modeled after Bodhidharma, the founder of the Zen tradition of Buddhism. Bodhidharma was a princess who became a monk and is well-known due to his practice of wall-gazing. Though there are various stories about him, legend claims that in his later years, he meditated for a period of nine years without moving, no matter what happened during the time. It is this perseverance spirit that deeply touched generation after generation.

Daruma Culture in Japan
Tumbler doll had many shapes at the beginning, by 1603 to 1867, the Daruma (meditation) Doll became the most popular and significant that people in Japan start to replace Daruma Doll as tumbler doll. Almost every household would place Daruma Doll at home to pray for prosperous business, a bountiful harvest, and protection from misfortune and disaster.

Daruma Doll Ritual and Meaning
There are generally two types of Daruma Doll on the market, one with eyes and one without. The ones with eyes are treated as decorations, choosing the proper size for people to place them at places like entrance, living room, and/or work place…etc., as a talisman for attracting blessings and good luck.

Another type of Daruma Doll you usually get from temples in Japan. These Daruma Dolls have blank eyes for you to fill in yourself. People buy it to set up a goal for oneself, place it where you can usually see it and remind yourself to be determined like Daruma until you realize your “goal/wish”.

Getting a Daruma Doll / Setting Up a Goal

• Step 1: Pick a Daruma Doll that you are particularly drawn to.
• Step 2: Specify your goals – Write the goal that you wish to achieve.
• Step 3: Take a few incense sticks and elaborate your goals in your prayers at the temple.
• Step 4: Bath the Daruma Doll on top of the smoke of the incense, as a transcended form of your prayers.
• Step 5: Fill in the Daruma’s right eye (on your left when facing the Daruma Doll) as a commitment to your goals; vowing that you will make no compromise until reaching your goal.
• Step 6: After you have achieved your goal, draw the Daruma Doll’s left eye (on your right when facing the Daruma Doll) as a sign of goal completion.
• Step 7: Report your achievement and grant your appreciation by returning back to the temple where you set up your goal. You may place it along with other Daruma Dolls at the temple.

Different Colors of Daruma Doll

While most of the time a Daruma Doll is red in color, different colors represent different blessings/wishes. 

Red: “Fortune-attracting”, “Guaranteed success”, “Protection for the household”
－ White: “Goal Achievement”
－ Black: “Business success and prosperity”
－ Yellow: “Attracting wealth and prosperity”, “Good Luck”
－ Green: “Healthy and fit”
－ Blue: “Academic success”
－ Pink: “Improving romantic prospects”
－ Purple: “Lifelong health and vitality”
－ Gold: “Attracting wealth and prosperity”, “Better career luck”
－ Silver: “Personal fulfillment”