Get Good Luck at the Jindaiji Temple Daruma Doll Festival (だるま祭り)
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CONTENTS
深大寺のだるま祭りに行ってきました！
◉About Daruma◉
daruma are hollow traditional handmade Japanese wishing dolls
and is a big part of Buddhism.
The daruma dolls are modeled after Bodhidharma,
a famous 5th~6th century Buddhist monk in China
who is said to be the founder of Zen Buddhism.
In Japan however, he is known as Daruma and the resemblance of
the person and the doll is pretty interesting.
It's also said that Bodhidharma (Daruma) meditated for nine years straight,
causing his limbs to eventually degenerate,
which is why the daruma dolls are rounded and look the way they do.
Image source Zen Buddhism
to why the daruma's eyes aren't filled in.
Some believe it's to depict Bodhidharma (Daruma)
because during his nine-year meditation,
he fell asleep for most of it and when he woke up
he was so angry so he cut his eyelids off
to prevent from falling asleep again during meditation.
Which is pretty dark but cool at the same time.
Others say it's to represent enlightenment,
and other's just have no clue of its deep meaning
and only know you make a wish while drawing a filled in circle on one eye,
then once it comes true fill in the other eye.
However those with more specific wishes and goals,
you can choose a specific color of daruma.
Many stands at the festival had charts
showing what color represented what.
Some colors had the same meaning across the board,
whereas others were different.
So we think besides the traditional red daruma,
there really isn't a standard meaning per color.
It may just depend on the craftsman of the daruma.
But if in doubt, you can always just go for the red daruma.
Red – Overal good luck
Pink – Love (find a boyfriend/girlfriend/husband/wife)
Gold – Wealth, improve talents
Yellow – Safety
Blue – Pray for your deepest prayers to be answered, success in school/test
Purple – Health
Green – Longevity (purple and green often switch)
Really though when you get down to it,
darumas are somewhat of a representation of your goals and strength.
So regardless the color, you are announcing your goals and wishes and showing your proactivity.
There really isn't a specific time to buy daruma, but they have been somewhat commercialized being New Year's charms. In that way, they are similar to New Year resolution charms.
An interesting fact about Japanesemedia, is that it is somewhat considered taboo to show a person's daruma on TV.
Our Japanese TV director friends told us the reason is that you are almost publicizing "to the world" that that person's wish hasn't come true yet. Same goes for daruma with both eyes filled, you won't see it because you are almost bragging about the wish coming true. We were really surprised to find out daruma are taken that seriously to some people.
The Jindaiji Temple in Chofu, Tokyo is the second oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo (the first being Sensoji Temple in Asakusa). Every March, Jindaiji holds a Daruma Doll Festival and people from all over come to buy an open-eyed daruma. There are about 300 stalls along and around the temple ground so people are sure to have a good time and find the daruma of their dreams.
Despite living minutes by bike from Jindaiji, this was our first time going to the festival. This year it was on March 3rd (Sat) and 4th (Sun) from 9am~5pm. We read that if you go around 2pm the Jindaiji monks will do some kind of performance called Oneri Gyoretsu, which is just the temple's monks walking around the temple while traditional music plays. I am more than certain we were there at 2pm, but we must have just not heard the music and missed it. Which is a shame but no big deal since we were just as entertained looking at all the daruma!!
There Were All Kinds of Daruma
Different Facial Hair
what was fun about this festival was that no daruma looked the same.
Even the red ones!
Take the top darumas in the picture above.
Notice that their eyebrows are different
from the smaller one in the corner?
Their eyebrows contain the Chinese character 寿 (kotobuki),
which means longevity.
I learned that day that even the facial hair has a deep representation. Can you see a couple of images within the facial hair?? They took two animals from the Asian culture that symbolizes longevity and incorporated them into the daruma's facial hair. The eyebrows are supposed to be cranes, and the cheek parts of the beard are tortoises or tortoise shells.🐢 In many Asian cultures they say cranes live for 1,000 years, and turtles for 10,000 years. So by including both represents the desire for a long life. The cranes I can kind of see….but not the tortoise. Then this daruma specifically (in the picture above), the chin part of the beard is Mt. Fuji.🗻
Made from Different Materials
There were also Japanese ceramic bells (土鈴; dorei) painted as daruma.
Recently was Girls Day, or Hina Matsuri (ひな祭り), so there were even "Hina Matsuri daruma". Not as cute as the real hina dolls but the idea is still cute!🎎
Same Body Shape, Different Character
Then for the pure purpose of decoration, there were a whole new version of daruma dolls. Japanese shiba, cute maneki neko, traditional bowl haircut girls… Even daruma representing the Chinese calendar…which were SUPER cute!🐍🐯🐵 However, with their eyes already being filled, it takes away the fun of filling them yourself. We noticed a leopard print daruma though and its eyes were still open like the traditional daruma. Being a lover of leopard print, I was super tempted to buy it but ended up not getting one.
To take the maneki neko daruma a step forward, there were also these cuties.
Manekineko that had either Gods or daruma on their tummies.
If you think about it,
the maneki nekos bring good luck,
and so do daruma or Japanese gods,
so it's basically like
you're getting double luck.
We liked these maneki nekos but
we didn't like
how the darumas were smiling.
If they had a more stern face,
we would've gotten one.
It is still a cute idea though.
That daruma, especially when they're in a group…
Are really just like soulless zombies. Their empty eyes with the strong rings around them are actually a bit creepy after a while.
Everywhere you looked were daruma waiting to be sold. It's crazy to imagine each and every single one was handcrafted. What is evern crazier is some of the sizes people bought at the festival. Where do they put a massive daruma that is about the size of their child!?!?!?!
Adding an Eye
At the festival, if you bought a daruma, you could bring it over to a monk for the Daruma Kaigansho, or "Spiritual Awakening" (lit translated as "Eye Opener") booth. The monk will write the character 阿 (pronounced "ah") on the left eye which stands for the "O" in Oma, a sacred syllable in Buddhism that is said to be known as the beginning of things in life.
For those who had old darumas that they wanted to get their eye filled in because their wish came true, that was an option as well. Just line up and give it to the monks where they fill in the right eye with the character 吽 (pronounced "oon") which stands for the "m" in Om, standing for the end. Once you got your old daruma's right eye filled in, it's customary to get rid of it. However, you just can't throw it in the trash or anything like that. You have to take it to a temple where they burn it. For that reason, there was a massive "daruma offering place" set up right in front of the temple. There you saw many people getting rid of their old darumas.
completely covered in Japanese paper, washi.
We took it up to the monks and got its eye filled in.
While the eye is getting filled in,
you're supposed to wish for something but I was too preoccupied
taking pictures and watching the monk write the character
I forgot to make a wish.
So I hope my husband made one for the both of us!
different to the Sanskrit characters the monks here at Jindaiji write.
You will mostly see darumas with these kinds of eyes.
One of the vendors told us that getting the eye filled in with these Sanskrit characters is really rare and a special custom to Jindaiji Temple.
So we are really glad we got to experience this
and if you get a chance to next festival, you should!
It doesn't cost anything to get an eye filled in by the monks,
however, donations are appreciated of course.
〇Other Things at During the Daruma Festival◉
Jindaiji is known for its delicious soba,
but another popular food there is this grilled mochi!!
There is sweet bean paste inside,
and you can either get it plain or covered in kinako,
which is like roasted soy flour.
If buying a daruma isn't really something you're too interested in but want to get SOMETHING as souvenir…then Japanese temples and shrines have a really unique thing where you can get honorable stamps. Many people in Japan own a stamp book, Goshuinchou (御朱印帳), and they take it to temples and shrines all over Japan to get stamped. We have a stamp book too but forgot to bring it with us. So for those who forget or don't have a book, you can just buy the stamp on a sheet of paper. Then if you have a book you can glue it in later. These stamps are normally really cheap, depending on the shrine/temple ranges from 200yen~500yen.
The Jindaiji Daruma Festival is every year on March 3rd and 4th.
★Jindaiji Temple (深大寺)
5-15-1 Jindaiji Motomachi, Chofu, Tokyo 182-0017
**Jindaiji Temple Official Site**
From Mitaka Station South Exit, get on the #65 bus towards Jindaiji (深大寺)
Roughly a 20 minute ride, ￥220
Google Maps
Daruma make wonderful souvenirs!
Regardless of your beliefs, it's something fun to do like a wishing well, and the daruma dolls have an interesting look to them. Now that I learned all the history and culture behind these dolls, I've become even more interested in them. So next time I get the chance to go to Gunma Prefecture, I plan on going to the daruma museum!
Details
NAME:Jindaiji Temple (深大寺)
MAP
5-15-1 Jindaiji Motomachi, Chofu, Tokyo
ACCESS:Chofu
Hey there!! Thank's for checking out my page～★ I love exploring the crazy and funny sides of Japan as well as its hidden treasures.
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NAGANO
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Nagano Prefecture's popularity starts with a wealth of historic treasures, like Matsumoto Castle, Zenkoji Temple, and Togakushi Shrine, but the highlight might just be the prefecture's natural vistas surrounded by the "Japanese Alps." Nagano's fruit is famous, and there are plenty of places to pick it fresh, and the area is full of hot springs, including Jigokudani Monkey Park―where monkeys take baths as well! Thanks to the construction of the Hokuriku shinkansen line, Nagano is easily reachable from the Tokyo area, adding it to plenty of travel itineraries. And after the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, ski resorts like Hakuba and Shiga Kogen are known around the world.
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NAGOYA
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Aichi Prefecture sits in the center of the Japanese islands, and its capital city, Nagoya, is a center of politics, commerce, and culture. While Aichi is home to major industry, and is even the birthplace of Toyota cars, it's proximity to the sea and the mountains means it's also a place with beautiful natural scenery, like Saku Island, Koijigahama Beach, Mt. Horaiji. Often used a stage for major battles in Japanese history, Sengoku era commanders like Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu left their own footprints on Aichi, and historic buildings like Nagoya Castle, Inuyama Castle, and those in Meiji Mura are still around to tell the tale.
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NIIGATA
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Niigata is a prefecture on Japan's main island of Honshu, situated right on the coast of the Sea of Japan, and abundant with the gifts of nature. It's known for popular ski resorts such as Echigo-Yuzawa, Japanese national parks, and natural hot spring baths, plus local products like fresh seafood, rice, and sake. Visitors often spend time in the prefectural capital, Niigata City, or venture across the water to Sado Island.
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SHIZUOKA
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Shizuoka Prefecture is sandwiched between eastern and western Japan, giving the prefecture easy access to both Tokyo and Osaka. Not only is it known for beautiful natural attractions, with everything from Mount Fuji to Suruga Bay, Lake Hamanako, and Sumata Pass―Shizuoka's Izu Peninsula is known as a go-to spot for hot springs lovers, with famous onsen like Atami, Ito, Shimoda, Shuzenji, and Dogashima. Shizuoka attracts all kinds of travelers thanks to historic connections with the Tokugawa clan, the Oigawa Railway, fresh eel cuisine, Hamamatsu gyoza, and famously high-quality green tea.
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KANSAI
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Kansai (関西) is a region that includes Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, and Shiga Prefectures. Kansai contained Japan's ancient capital for hundreds of years, and it's making a comeback as one of the most popular parts of Japan. Kyoto's temples and shrines, Osaka Castle, and the deer of Nara are all considered must-sees. Plus, the people of Kansai are especially friendly, making it a fun place to hang out.
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KYOTO
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Kyoto flourished as the capital of Japan between the years 794 and 1100, becoming a center for poilitics and culture, and to this day it's a great place for close encounters with Japanese history. The cobbled streets of Gion, the atmospheric road to Kiyomizudera Temple, Kinkakuji's golden walls and countless historic attractions, even Arashiyama's Togetsukyo Bridge―Kyoto is a place of many attractions. With new charms to experience throughout the seasons, travelers can't stop themselves from returning again and again.
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NARA
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Nara Prefecture's important history reaches back to 710, a time now called the Nara era, when it was once capital of Japan. Called "Heijo-kyo" during its time as a capital, it's said that nara was once the end of the silk road, leading it to flourish as a uniquely international region and produce important cultural properties of all kinds. To make the most of each season, travelers head to Nara Park, where the Nara deer who wander freely, or climb Mount Yoshino, a famous cherry blossom spot.
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OSAKA
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Osaka is known for friendly (and funny) people, but its history is nothing to laugh at, playing a major part in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's 16th century unification of Japan. Thanks to long years of economic activity, it's one of Japan's biggest cities, and Osaka's popular food culture earned it the nickname "The Kitchen of the Nation." To this day Osaka is the model of western Japan, and alongside historic structures like Osaka Castle, it also has major shopping malls like Umeda's Grand Front Osaka and Tennoji's Abeno Harukas. Osaka is a place to eat, eat, eat, with local specialties like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushi-katsu, and for extra fun, it's home to Universal Studios Japan.
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CHUGOKU
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The Chugoku Region (中国地方) consists of five prefectures: Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi. In Chugoku you’ll find the sand dunes of Tottori, and Hiroshima’s atomic bomb site, plus centers of ancient history like Grand Shrine of Izumo.
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HIROSHIMA
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Hiroshima Prefecture has everything, from world heritage sites to beautiful nature and delicious local cuisine, and it's either an hour and a half from Tokyo by plane, or four hours by train. Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island and the Atomic Bomb Dome, two Hiroshima UNESCO sites, are famous around the world, but in Japan it's also famous for food. Seafood from the Seto Inland Sea, especially oysters, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, and Setouchi lemons are all popular, and the natural scenery alone is worth seeing.
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SHIKOKU
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On the other side of the Seto Inland Sea opposite Japan’s main island, Shikoku (四国) is a region made up of four prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, and Tokushima. The area is famous for its udon (in Kagawa), and the beautiful Dogo Onsen hot springs (in Ehime).
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KAGAWA
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Kagawa Prefecture is on the northern part of the island of Shikoku, facing Japan's main island and the Seto Inland Sea. It's known for being the smallest prefecture in Japan, by area, but at the same time Kagawa is called the "Udon Prefecture" thanks to its famous sanuki udon. Aside from Kotohiragu Shrine and Ritsurin Garden, the prefecture's small islands are popular, and Kagawa is full of unique destinations, like Angel Road. They say that if you lay eyes on Zenigata Sunae, a huge Kagawa sand painting, you'll never have money troubles ever again.
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KYUSHU
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Located in the most southwestern part of Japan, Kyushu (九州) is an island of 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. The island's unique culture has been influenced by Chinese and Dutch trade, along with missionaries coming in through Nagasaki's port. Modern-day travelers love the lush natural scenery and fresh food, plus the natural hot springs found all throughout the area (thanks to volcanic activity)!
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FUKUOKA
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Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.
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KAGOSHIMA
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Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.
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OKINAWA
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The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.
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