During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ongoing visit to Japan, he received a Daruma Doll, a symbolic gift that carries deep cultural meaning in Japan and also links back to India. The doll was presented to him by Rev Seishi Hirose, the Chief Priest of the Shorinzan Daruma-ji Temple in Takasaki. At first glance, the Daruma may appear to be a simple, round object. In truth, it holds centuries of history, and its story goes back directly to India’s Buddhist heritage.

The Daruma Doll is also known as the “Dharma Doll.” This name connects it with Bodhidharma, the Indian Buddhist monk who traveled to China around the 5th or 6th century CE and founded the Zen school of Buddhism. In Japan, he is remembered as Daruma Daishi. Over time, Bodhidharma became a highly respected figure across East Asia, remembered for his meditation practices, his resilience, and his determination. His story in Japan gave rise to the Daruma Doll, which has since come to symbolize the spirit of never giving up, no matter how difficult life becomes.

The handmade Daruma Doll is usually round and hollow. It is weighted at the base so it stands back up even if someone pushes it over. This clever design reflects the famous Japanese proverb “Nanakorobi yaoki” (fall down seven times, get up eight), which serves as a constant reminder to rise again after failure and to continue striving toward one’s goals with strength and focus.

Traditionally, Daruma Dolls are crafted from papier-mâché and painted red. At the bottom, the inscription “Fukuiri” is written. It means “here is happiness in it.” The doll’s eyebrows are shaped to represent a crane, while its beard is designed to resemble the tail of a turtle. These details are not decorative alone—they connect with a well-known Japanese saying that “cranes live 1000 years and turtles live 10000 years,” which is why these animals are both seen as symbols of good fortune, long life, and celebration.

The Daruma Doll is valued as a strong symbol of perseverance and good luck. It is also tied to the practice of goal-setting and achievement. By tradition, the doll has blank eyes. When someone sets a goal, they paint one eye black. After the goal is achieved, they paint the second eye to complete the face. This unique practice transforms the Daruma into a personal reminder of one’s promise and the discipline to complete it.

At the end of the year, it is a common custom for people to take their Daruma Dolls back to the temple where they purchased them. The returned dolls are respectfully burned in a traditional ceremony called daruma kuyō. This ritual is usually held right after New Year’s Day. The burning symbolizes gratitude for the goals pursued in the past year and marks the closing of one cycle. After this, people buy new dolls to set fresh goals for the year ahead.

The Shorinzan Daruma-ji Temple in Takasaki, where this tradition began, remains the most well-known place for Daruma-making in Japan. Every year, the temple holds fairs where visitors buy new dolls, write down new hopes and goals, and return older dolls for ceremonial burning, a process that represents both closure and renewal.

Although the tradition is to buy dolls at the beginning of the year and return them at the end, Daruma Dolls are also available throughout the year. Many people choose to keep their dolls at home instead of returning them for burning. Beyond individuals, companies and even political parties in Japan purchase Daruma Dolls to mark important goals or milestones, using them as a public symbol of determination and success.

Spiritual Roots in Shorinzan

In Takasaki, north of Tokyo, the Shorinzan Temple is considered the spiritual home of the Daruma tradition. Its founder first began the practice by creating New Year charms with Bodhidharma’s image, believed to bring happiness and protection. As the practice became popular, the ninth head priest, Togaku, shaped these charms into papier-mâché dolls. These gradually developed into the modern Daruma. Today, the city of Takasaki celebrates this rich cultural heritage with the Daruma Doll Festival (Daruma-ichi), where thousands of visitors gather to buy new dolls, set intentions, and return older ones in gratitude for the past year.

Ceremonial Burning of Lucky Daruma Dolls

The Indian link to the Daruma Doll lies in the figure of Bodhidharma. He is described as a monk from southern India and is often associated with the Kancheepuram region. His long journey across Asia deeply shaped the practice of Zen Buddhism and, in legend, even influenced martial traditions such as Shaolin Kung Fu in China.

As per legend, Bodhidharma lost his limbs by performing the Zen meditation Zazen for nine years. To represent this, Daruma dolls were made without limbs. In Japan, his strict life of meditation and determination laid the foundation for the Daruma legend. This is why, although the Daruma Doll is widely recognized as a Japanese cultural object, its spiritual origins are firmly rooted in India

For India, the presentation of the Daruma Doll to Prime Minister Modi carries a meaning much deeper than just ceremony. It represents the cultural bond between India and Japan, built on the shared history of Buddhism. The Daruma is far more than just a decorative item—it is a reminder of how Indian philosophy traveled across Asia, took new forms, and continues to inspire people today with its message of strong determination and perseverance.

The act of gifting the Daruma Doll to Prime Minister Modi also carries symbolic weight. In Japanese culture, offering a Daruma shows trust in a person’s dedication and in their ability to reach important goals. For both India and Japan, the doll acts as a cultural bridge, linking Bodhidharma’s Indian teachings with Japan’s centuries-old traditions. By presenting this gift, Japan extended blessings of perseverance, success in governance, and a wish for even stronger bilateral ties between the two countries.