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by IMAI DARUMA

Fall down seven times, get up eight!

The Daruma doll endures as one of Japan's most popular talismans. Dear to the hearts of the Japanese, Daruma doll reflect their determined spirit and peaceful outlook on life.

Daruma came into existence in Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture in the late seventeenth century as a relief measure for famine stricken farmers. The story goes that the Daruma Temple instructed farm households to make papier-mâché dolls as a way of earning a little extra income.

Daruma’s (or Dharma) Zen roots go back 1500 years to Bodhidharma, the monk credited with establishing Chan Buddhism in China and Zen Buddhism in Japan. Typically made of papier-mâché, traditional Daruma dolls are red, hollow and round, and represent the silhouette of Bodhidharma in deep meditation, sitting in the customary zazen position with his legs folded under his body.

Daruma dolls are closely associated with ‘nana korobi yaoki’, a Japanese proverb meaning that if you ‘fall down seven times, get up eight’. Representing this persistence, the doll's rounded shape makes it return to its original position when knocked over, and in so doing remind us to never give up on our aspirations.

Traditional Daruma dolls have ‘crane’ shaped eyebrows with facial hair drawn in the shape of a turtle, symbolizing longevity. Daruma dolls are 'blind', the idea being to paint in the left eye when you make a wish, then when it has been granted, to paint in the right eye.

Enter the modern, black and white designer Daruma doll created to suit stylish, modern home or office interiors. Eco-friendly and handmade in the traditional way using recycled paper (papier-mâché), the plain white version is finished using a pigment made of crushed shells, while both the black and white versions are decorated with Italian words and a mathematical formula illustrating the ‘nana korobi yaoki’ proverb!

Lady Luck

In addition to traditional Daruma, feminine dolls began to appear during the Edo period (1603~1867). Called ‘Hime Daruma’ (Princess Daruma) or ‘Onna Daruma’ (Lady Daruma), they were satirical representations that alluded to prostitution due to the ’falling down, getting-up’ idea. They were, however, still considered lucky charms!

Product Details

Selling Agency Japan
Specification

Specifications

  • Material: Papier-mâché
  • Size: 12cm (4.7'), 20cm (7.9'), 26cm (10.2')
  • Weight: 12cm:110g (3.9 oz), 20cm:365g (12.9 oz), 26cm:560g (19.75 oz)
  • Colors: Black, White, Red

・All the products handling in ALEXCIOUS are the genuine products from the original makers.
・The colors in the product photos may differ slightly from the actual product.
・The design, specifications, appearance, and price of products are subject to change without notice.

Designer's Takasaki Daruma

IMAI DARUMA

¥ 7,536 - ¥ 13,584
Approx. USD 52.73

Shipping Fee

¥ 5,200
(Approx. USD 36.38)
Gift wrapping available
  • Black 12cm

    I1-I001-D001-01-05

    ¥ 7,536
    Domestic: Delivery in 6-7 business days.
    Overseas: It takes a few more days.
  • White 12cm

    I1-I001-D001-01-06

    ¥ 7,536
    Domestic: Delivery in 6-7 business days.
    Overseas: It takes a few more days.
  • Red 12cm

    I1-I001-D001-01-09

    ¥ 7,536
    Domestic: Delivery in 6-7 business days.
    Overseas: It takes a few more days.
  • Black 20cm

    I1-I001-D001-01-03

    ¥ 11,316
    Domestic: Delivery in 6-7 business days.
    Overseas: It takes a few more days.
  • White 20cm

    I1-I001-D001-01-04

    ¥ 11,316
    Domestic: Delivery in 6-7 business days.
    Overseas: It takes a few more days.
  • Red 20cm

    I1-I001-D001-01-08

    ¥ 11,316
    Domestic: Delivery in 6-7 business days.
    Overseas: It takes a few more days.
  • Black 26cm

    I1-I001-D001-01-01

    ¥ 13,584
    Domestic: Delivery in 6-7 business days.
    Overseas: It takes a few more days.
  • White 26cm

    I1-I001-D001-01-02

    ¥ 13,584
    Domestic: Delivery in 6-7 business days.
    Overseas: It takes a few more days.
  • Red 26cm

    I1-I001-D001-01-07

    ¥ 13,584
    Domestic: Delivery in 6-7 business days.
    Overseas: It takes a few more days.

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Returns

Guide for Ordering Procedures

Order Procedures

  1. 1
    Placing an Order

    Orders can be made anytime.

  2. 2
    Confirmation Mail

    An automated mail will be delivered from ALEXCIOUS after an order has been placed.

  3. 3
    Approximate Shipping Date Mail

    For products that may take up to more than the period of notation to dispatch, another mail will be sent to notify the approximate shipping date in 1-3 business days

  4. 4
    Shipment Confirmation Mail

    A confirmation mail will be sent with the voucher number that indicates that the product has been shipped.

  5. 5
    Arrival of the Product

    After the order has been delivered, we request that you kindly rate our product on the review page.

Delivery and Wrapping

Shipping Method Delivery within Japan: Sagawa Express, Delivery Overseas: Express Mail Service (EMS) via the Japan Post Service
Shipping Fee
Japan:
¥ 1,100
Overseas:
Estimated Delivery Date
Japan:
Domestic delivery usually takes 1-3 days after the order is shipped.
Overseas:
For international delivery, delivery time can be estimated based on that of EMS (International Express Mail Service) once the order is shipped.Check the delivery time here.
Ship from Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
Track
Japan:
Sagawa Express Tracking Info Site
Overseas:
EMS Tracking Info Site
Insurance Included
Wrapping Message card (+ 110JPY / texts can be personalized) and gift wrapping (+ 550JPY) options are available. (Gift wrapping materials may be different from the image due to the size or shape of the product.)

Payment Method

Customers inside Japan
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Online banking (no handling fees)
Cash-on-delivery (COD)

(For domestic shipping and wristwatch purchases only)
For those who would like to pay via cash-on-delivery (COD), please select the ATM option. Then, please specify the COD option and the desired date of delivery (excluding weekends, the date can be no sooner than 4 days after the order) on the information form below. Cash-on-delivery Option/ Service Fees

Less than JPY 10,000
JPY 300
JPY 10,000 or above ~ less than JPY 30,000
JPY 400
JPY 30,000 or above ~ less than JPY 100,000
JPY 600
JPY 100,000 or above ~ less than JPY 300,000
JPY 1000
Customers outside Japan
Square (no handling fees)
  • VISA
  • Master Card
  • American Express
PayPal (no handling fees)
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  • Master Card
  • JCB
  • American Express
  • DISCOVER
Kindly notes If you view our site in Japanese, you may choose any one of the payment methods above. If you view our site in other languages including English, you may only make your payment with Square or PayPal.