Clay Daruma & Hime Dolls

Vintage Japanese clay Daruma doll and Princess Daruma doll on a board. The Daruma doll measures 1-1/2" tall, Hime, 1-1/8". There are spots due to age and/or dirt including some on the faces and on the top of their heads. Daruma has a few small paint chips missing here and there but it's a nice set with a well done face on the Daruma doll.

Daruma (Bodhidharma) was a Sage from India who lived in the 5th or 6th century, A.D. He is the founder of Zen Buddhism. There are many stories and legends about him. One of the most famous is the reason he is seen without legs or arms. He is said to have prayed or meditated for so many years that they fell off from non-use. It is said that he cut off his eyelids as he was so angry at himself for dozing off during mediation, ergo his large eyes. Paper mache daruma dolls often have no eyes drawn in. When you make a wish, you color in one eye and when it comes true, you color in the other. Often seen in sets of 8 which represent 7 times down and 8 times up. He is also bottom weighted so if knocked over, he rises back up. Placed inside the home, he symbolizes good luck and protection. A female version of Daruma is called "Hime" or Princess Daruma.

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