daruma

American  

[duh-roo-muh, dah-roo-mah] / dəˈru mə, dɑˈru mɑ /

noun

1. a large red papier-mâché Japanese doll in the form of a seated potbellied Buddhist monk: considered a bringer of luck and prosperity.

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Etymology

Origin of daruma

1960–65; < Japanese < Chinese, transliteration of Sanskrit dharma dharma

Example Sentences

Inspired by the Japanese tradition of daruma dolls, these Altadena-crafted beauties come in an assortment of cozy colors, with their smooshed, hand-crafted faces seemingly cheering us on.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 18, 2024

Hsiao’s ceramics are sweet and quirky — tiki cups, Japanese daruma wishing dolls, tiny creatures and bird pitchers and creamers.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 21, 2024

By contrast, “Untitled” from 1998 is a grid of black cubbyholes, each one containing a found treasure: a baby doll’s head, a Japanese daruma doll, a plastic apple, the head of the Red Power Ranger.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 10, 2023

Even the usually ebullient party leader, Premier Kakuei Tanaka, looked less than exuberant as he painted in the missing eye on a huge daruma doll, a traditional rite signifying victory or success.*

From Time Magazine Archive