Taking the Big Break

Today, after the big typhoon faded and the wind started to let up, we made it to both the Daruma Temple and the Daruma Factory.

From what I understand, the Japanese Daruma doll began as a representation of the priest who brought Buddhism to Japan and began the Zen Buddhism sect in this country.  The story goes that during his seven years of meditation, he sat for so long in one spot in a cave that his arms and legs fell off.  So, now Daruma is depicted as a rolly polly paper mache head.   When knocked on its side, the doll pops back upright, and has hence become the symbol of optimism, good fortune and determination.

As tradition has it in Japan, when a resolution is made, it is common to fill in one eye on the Daruma.  If a goal is met, the second eye is filled in.  Even politicians campaigning for office, will fill in a Daruma eye and have a special presentation of filling in the second eye during a victory ceremony.

Traditionally, a resolution is made at the beginning of each year, and the Daruma is returned to the temple after the goal has been met.   During the New Year Daruma Festival, all the Daruma are burned in a big bonfire near the temple.  Sad for sure, but if you think that almost 2 million Daruma are made each year, I kind of understand the need.  Plus, I imagine it is also culturally symbolic as the Japanese have many of these traditions of “Out with the Old, In with the New” during the New Year period.

Many years ago, when we first discussed the idea of this year-long adventure, the two of us each filled in an eye of our Daruma.   We had them displayed on our fireplace to keep us focused on our travel goal, and since we planned Japan as our first stop, we were thrilled to be able to return our Darumas to their hometown of Takasaki, in Gunma Prefecture.

Today, finally, we were able to visit the temple and leave our Daruma dolls with all their Daruma friends.  After more than three long years filled with lots of planning, reflection, and perseverance, our trip has come to fruition.  So today, we filled in the eyes of our Darumas and returned them to the temple.  Here are a couple photos.

Filling in the eye of completion

We did it!

Leaving our Daruma

The temple itself is up several flights of stairs on a beautiful mountainside in the city of Takasaki.  About 80% of all Darumas made in Japan come from this region.

Front view of the temple

Our friends came along to leave their Daruma too!

Daruma left at the temple

Finally, we stopped at the Daruma Factory where the paper mache faces are made.  This happens to be the place where I bought them four and a half years ago.  We were met by a two people who were clearly quite proud of the Daruma and happy to talk about how they are made.  In addition to the manufacturing and painting of Daruma, at this factory spot, we were able to see Daruma dolls of all sorts of sizes and colors.   Traditionally, they are red, but recently can be found in all sorts of colors.

The many colors of Daruma.

Four of us at the Daruma Factory.

We were thrilled to have been able to go today to complete our little Daruma cycle.  The past several years of planning have been a wild adventure.   And, now the best part begins…