Vintage Japanese Unique Red Wound Thread & White Cord Bodhi Dharma Doll 4"

This is a vintage Japanese Daruma doll.Daruma (Bodhidharma) doll. Bodhidharma was a semi-legendary Buddhist monk who lived during the 5th or 6th century. He is traditionally credited as the transmitter of Buddhism to China, and regarded as its first Chinese patriarch. In Japan he is often depicted in a red robe with no arms or legs. Legend has it that at the end of his life Daruma was so committed to his meditation that he sat till his limbs withered. This dedication is what Daruma symbolizes to this day. Usually these dolls are made of paper, when you get one, you make a wish to something you want to complete then, paint in one eye. Daruma lends you his determination for the length of the task. When you complete the task you paint in the other eye.

This Daruma is not made of paper instead it is covered in a single continuous red thread with a white cord around his face and tied at the front.

Having been in storage for several decades, it remains in overall fine vintage condition. This Daruma measures about 3 1/2" in diameter at its widest point (9 cm) and 5" (13 cm) tall.