Niigata Daruma

 A Daruma doll (達磨, daruma) is a hollow, round, Japanese traditional doll modeled after Bodhidharma, the founder of the Zen tradition of Buddhism. These dolls, though typically red and depicting a bearded man (Bodhidharma), vary greatly in color and design depending on region and artist. Though considered a toy by some, 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. The doll has also been commercialized by many Buddhist temples to use alongside the setting of goals.

A Niigata Daruma doll is a hollow, round, a variation of the Japanese traditional doll that has hopes of breathing life into a Niigata District. It is modeled after a the Soto Zen Buddhist Monk Ryokan Taigu 良寛大愚. These dolls, though typically red and depicting a bearded man (Bodhidharma), vary with a Niigata variation of white and depicting a wrinkly man (Ryokan taigu). The daruma design is rich in symbolism of good luck and in the case of being white it would mean love & harmony, the color of snow, and with inspiration from Niigata can be seen as a artful piece of artistic expression. The doll could be commercialized by many Buddhist temples within the Niigata prefecture in place of the standard Daruma. It was inspired by the Higashikanbara District (東蒲原郡) that includes Town of Aga: Kanose (鹿瀬町, Kanose-machi), Tsugawa Village, Kamikawa Village, and Mikawa Village that were affected by Minamata Disease as a way to remember those who were lost and carry a message of “Remember the tragedy and Recover for the future”.

Ryokan Taigu was a Soto Zen Buddhist monk who lived during 1758-1831. He is traditionally credited as a poet and calligrapher of nature and children. Much of his life is documented in writing as well as legends in Echigo Province, which is modern day Niigata. It is said that he would play with the children hide and seek and hide in the rice fields as it was his turn to hide, then the next day the farmer would find him there. Another tale is he would decline requests for books from famous people he would happily write letters on kites for children.

Design, the shape remains the shape of okiagari meaning to get up and rise again to hold much of its symbolic messaging. The Eyes have the color of the Toki sign of good luck happiness, elegance, beautiful appearance. The design near its mouth is of the extinct Kochi Hoin as it continues to live after death as a mummified corpse of Saisho-ji temple.The color of the original is not certain, but the Niigata Daruma white coloring is based on the color of the winter snow white and the shape is to remember those from one of the Four Big Pollution Diseases of Japan “Niigata Minamata Disease”.The silver color used on the white is associated to mercury poisoning (新潟水俣病), which in 1965 the disease called “Minamata Disease” was from methylmercury released in the wastewater from mercury sulfate-catalysed acetaldehyde that was sourced from Showa Electrical Company chemical plant in Kanose Village. The color would mark as a warning of the sickness from contaminated water, while the shape of okiagari would be to encourage a community to recover from the outbreak as quickly as it fell.

Collaboration of Heightened Relations with Gunma’s Takasaki that does business of exports of Daruma (Niigata x Gunma). Gunma Prefecture is the Neighboring prefecture of Niigata Prefecture, so celebrating arts and crafts is important between the two. There is a wonderful fifth-generation Daruma craftsman Chihiro Nakata who is globally recognized in the west and east-asia works with the Daimonya family handcraft over 70,000 unique Daruma dolls each year. In order to connect the mission of promoting Takasaki daruma dolls overseas the Niigata Daruma would be able to represent Niigata Kenjin-kai’s (Prefectural Overseas Groups) as an alternative to the Sankaku Daruma Doll that is established. 

Niigata x Gunma Collaboration: The Niigata Daruma has been designed to be meaningful and a thoughtful creation that blends local history, symbolism, and artistry in a deeply impactful way. By incorporating elements like Ryokan Taigu, the white color representing snow and harmony, and the connection to the Minamata Disease tragedy, this Daruma would carry not just the hope and perseverance for the traditional to the Daruma doll. It would also be a message of remembrance and recovery for the Niigata community. The use of silver to symbolize mercury poisoning and the Toki bird eyes adds a unique layer of cultural significance that would resonate with the people of Niigata and beyond. The collaboration with Takasaki's Daruma artisans further strengthens this concept, creating an opportunity for cultural exchange and shared artistic heritage