Traditionally, you make a wish and fill in one of the daruma's eyes and, when it comes true, you fill in the other eye. At the end of the year, you bring the figure back to the shrine to burn it.

The temple is piled high with daruma of various sizes and colors, each representing something different. Red is the most common color, which invites general good fortune.

Autumn visit at Shorinzan Daruma-ji, the "birthplace of daruma dolls" in Takasaki, Japan. © 2023 Norbert Woehnl Photography.
Autumn visit at Shorinzan Daruma-ji, the "birthplace of daruma dolls" in Takasaki, Japan. © 2023 Norbert Woehnl Photography.
Autumn visit at Shorinzan Daruma-ji, the "birthplace of daruma dolls" in Takasaki, Japan. © 2023 Norbert Woehnl Photography.
Autumn visit at Shorinzan Daruma-ji, the "birthplace of daruma dolls" in Takasaki, Japan. © 2023 Norbert Woehnl Photography.

Shot with iPhone 11 Pro. Edited in Adobe Lightroom Classic / ON1 Photo RAW 2026.

写真の撮影場所:群馬県・高崎市・少林山 達磨寺