だるま

noun

daruma doll, tumbler doll

1. daruma doll

A round, hollow Japanese doll modeled after Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism. Traditionally painted red with a bearded face, the doll is designed as a tumbler that always rights itself when knocked over. Used for goal-setting and as a good luck charm.

願(ねが)いを込(こ)めてだるまの片目(かため)を入(い)れた。

I painted in one eye of the daruma while making a wish.

選挙(せんきょ)に当選(とうせん)したので、だるまにもう片方(かたほう)の目(め)を入(い)れた。

I filled in the other eye of the daruma because I won the election.

だるまは七転(ななころ)び八起(やお)きの象徴(しょうちょう)だ。

The daruma is a symbol of perseverance (falling seven times and getting up eight).

ALTERNATE WRITING:

達磨(だるま) (kanji form)

ORIGIN:

Named after 達磨(だるま) (Bodhidharma), who supposedly meditated for nine years until his arms and legs atrophied
This explains the doll's armless, legless round shape

TRADITIONAL USE:
1. Buy a daruma with blank white eyes
2. Make a wish/goal and paint in the LEFT eye (左目(ひだりめ))
3. When the goal is achieved, paint in the RIGHT eye (右目(みぎめ))
4. At year's end, return to a temple for だるま供養(くよう) (ritual burning)

PROVERB:

七転(ななころ)び八起(やお)き (Fall seven times, rise eight) - the tumbler design embodies this spirit of resilience

FAMOUS PRODUCTION AREAS:

高崎(たかさき)だるま (Takasaki, Gunma) - most famous
白河(しらかわ)だるま (Shirakawa, Fukushima)

COLORS:

赤(あか) (red) - traditional, good luck
白(しろ) (white) - academic success
金(きん) (gold) - financial success
Various modern colors available

MODERN USE:

Politicians display them during election campaigns
Athletes and students use them for goal motivation
Popular as New Year decorations

COLLOCATIONS:

だるまに目(め)を入(い)れる (to paint daruma's eye)
だるま落(お)とし (daruma drop game)

Related Words

Related: 招(まね)き猫(ねこ) (good luck charm)

general

Added 2026.1.18 8:14 · Revised 2026.7.19 12:20

06500/06539_daruma