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The Daruma festival is an annual event where attendees burn their old Daruma dolls and purchase new ones for luck and motivation. “Daruma” is the Japanese name for the monk Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism and a symbol of fortune during the Edo period. These dolls, which date back to the seventeenth century, are sold with two large, empty eyes. At the beginning of each year, purchasers set a personal goal and paint in one of them. They then place the doll in a prominent place to remind them of their goal. An owner can only paint in the other eye after fulfilling their aim. Before buying a doll at the next festival, participants must burn their previous one, representing a transition to a new year with new potential achievements. Sekino depicts festival-goers browsing a selection of these Daruma dolls, each awaiting their eyes.Label Type
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Label written by Macy BakerLabel Type
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Gift of the Friends of Art Collection at Saint Joseph’s University