daruma

[duh-roo-muh, dah-roo-mah]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of daruma¹

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

Like Saben’s handprints in the concrete patio outside the studio, Hsiao’s own wildly creative imprint is clear in the whimsical vessels that line the shelves of the former two-car garage: from long-beaked toucan pitchers and owl juicers to Japanese daruma wishing dolls and Venus of Willendorf lady tiki cups.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

But as delightful as many of those pieces are, as paintings, none quite has the self-propelled perfection of Hakuin’s “Giant Daruma.”

From New York Times

That one contains nothing but what’s necessary to communicate the ideas in question — in this case the conventional attributes of Daruma, which are long ears, broad forehead, an expression of profound concentration bordering on anger, and a beard.

From New York Times