These dolls originate from Takasaki, Japan. Also known as a Dharma doll, it is a hollow, round, Japanese doll. These dolls, are typically red and depicting a bearded man (Dharma). Daruma has a design that is rich in symbolism and is regarded more as a talisman of good luck to the Japanese. Daruma dolls are seen as a symbol of perseverance and good luck, making them a popular gift of encouragement.
Darumas are still usually made of papier-mâché, have a round shape, are hollow, and weighted at the bottom in a way that it will always return to an upright position when tilted over. In English, this roly-poly style is called a "tumbler doll," and in Japanese it is called "okiagari." meaning to get up (oki) and arise (agari). This characteristic has come to symbolize the ability to have success, overcome adversity, and recover from misfortune.
The eyes of Daruma are blank when sold. Monte A. Greer, author of Daruma Eyes, described the "oversized symmetrical round blank white eyes" as a means to keep track of goals or big tasks and motivate them to work to the finish. The recipient of the doll fills in one eye upon setting the goal, then the other upon fulfilling it. In this way, every time they see the one-eyed Daruma, they recall the goal.
Way back home in Laguna last year , I actually decided to fill-in one eye of the Daruma doll and silently uttered the "goal" which to me was more of a wish.
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| My Daruma Doll. One wish granted. |
Last March 8, 2011 I was finally able to mark the other eye complete. Of course, it was more than just luck or wishful thinking.... persistence, hard work and consistency was involved. In my heart, i also believed there was an element of Divine Intervention and destiny as well. It was a day our family will never forget for the rest of our lives.
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| This is indeed THE day. |
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