*SHIPPING OPTIONS VARY DEPENDING ON THE DESTINATION, PLEASE SCROLL TO THE END OF THIS LISTING FOR MORE DETAILS.                                                                           
This listing is for a Takasaki Shorinzan Fuku-Daruma with its original paper storage box. Daruma is a popular talisman of good luck, especially during New Year. When a Daruma is purchased, the owner paints a pupil on the left eye while making a wish. Once the wish is realised the right pupil is added, and then the Daruma is taken to the local temple to be burned during a special ceremony. The English expression “having both eyes open” conveys Japan’s thoughts about success and wholeness. The Daruma in this listing is silver and made of papier-mâché. Silver and gold Daruma are thought to bring the owner much wealth and prosperity. The kanji on the left side says ‘ryusei’, which means prosperity, and the kanji on the right says Daruma. This particular Daruma comes with its original paper storage box, a Daruma tenugui, an ‘engi Daruma’ paper (engi means auspicious, and this paper is a blessing from the temple), as well as an English language booklet about Shorinzan Fuku-Daruma. 

Fuku-Daruma are purchased during the beginning of the New Year with the hope that they will bring good fortune. Shorinzan Daruma Temple in Gunma Prefecture is the birthplace of Takasaki Daruma. Currently there are around 70 local craftspeople that make Fuku-Daruma, producing over half a million annually. The Fuku-Daruma tradtion began when Shinetsu, the founder of Shorinzan Daruma Temple, began a custom of giving local farmers paintings of Bodhidharma. Shinetsu would paint them using a single brushstroke, and give them as a talisman to ward off evil during the year. During a famine in the Tenmei period (1781-1788), the ninth priest Tohgaku created a wooden effigy of Bodhidharma . He instructed the farmers how to make these Daruma so that they would have something to sell to tide them over during bad years. These days Takasaki is famous for its Daruma Ichi Fair held January 6 and 7th every year. All sizes of Daruma are on display and they come in many different colours with various meanings. **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and CANNOT be used in your own listings.

Sizes
Paper Box: H.16.2cm (6.3”) x 12.6cm (4.9”) x 12.6cm (4.9”)
Daruma: H.14cm (5.5”) x 12cm (4.7”) across x 9.5cm (3.7”) from back to front

Condition
It’s in excellent condition.

THESE ARE SHIPPING ESTIMATES BASED ON THE CURRENT GLOBAL SITUATION                                                                 

**Germany, France, Greece, Spain, Poland, Austria, Slovakia, Lithuania, Slovenia:  NO SHIPPING.  Very strict and expensive packaging laws in place and we are not licensed to send products to these countries.  We have no plan to register at this time because the process is in some cases very expensive and complicated, plus each country has its own set of regulations and application process. 

**USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway: Airmail Small Packet (approx. 15-28 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail Small Packet (please send us a message).

**Asia:  Airmail Small Packet (approx. 15-21 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail Small Packet (please send us a message).

**Central Asia, Middle East, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico:  EMS Express 10-15 days.

**Russia:  No shipping methods available.