Daruma

We are finally back home in our clearing in the beech woods at the top of the Chilterns.  One of the more fun aspects of unpacking after a holiday is finding the odds and ends that you couldn't resist bringing home.  This is a Daruma doll modelled after Bodhidharma, the founder of the Zen tradition of Buddhism.  The Japanese consider him a talisman of good luck.

There are lots of Kokeshi dolls (extra) for sale in Japan, mainly rather cute, and often mass produced.  We were lucky to find a craftsman carving and painting individual dolls (this one is a solid piece of wood and quite heavy) in Matsushima.