The Spirit of Tradition: A Conversation with Arai Daruma in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa

Tucked away in Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Arai Daruma is not just a workshop—it’s a living piece of Japanese heritage. With a history spanning over 160 years, this family-run business continues to produce Daruma dolls by hand, honouring tradition while subtly embracing change. It stands as a testament to the region’s rich craftsmanship and cultural heritage.

I sat down with the current head of the Arai family while he worked, to explore the meaning, history, and craftsmanship behind these iconic, and very cute, symbols of good fortune.

The Origins of Daruma

“Daruma comes from the Indian word dharma,” he began. “It means ‘enlightened one’ or ‘saint.’ It refers to Bodhidharma, an Indian monk who traveled to China and is known as the founder of Zen Buddhism.”

The Daruma doll, with its distinctive round shape, is modelled after the monk practicing zazen (seated meditation). “He’s human, so he feels cold. Imagine him with a blanket over his body, focused in meditation,” he explained. Contrary to the myth saying that the monk’s limbs fell off after meditating for too long, Daruma are shaped this way as a stylized image of focused stillness.

Design Through the Generations

Over time, the design of Daruma has evolved. “In my grandfather’s time, the design was simple and rustic. Now it’s become more colourful and lively,” he said, gesturing toward a 100-year-old Daruma whose red paint had faded with time.

Arai Daruma specialize in making Soshu Daruma dolls. Their most distinctive feature is the symbolic combination of eyebrows resembling a crane, a turtle for the beard, and a moustache and mouth mirroring Mt. Fuji. “The crane is a symbol of longevity and the turtle lives for centuries. Mt. Fuji represents Japan. It’s all about longevity and fortune.”

Daruma in Modern Times

While Daruma dolls are traditionally red, representing protection against illness—a tradition rooted in past epidemics—today they come in many different shades. “Now I make Daruma in various colours. I think it’s a good thing, that way everyone can choose the colour that appeals to them the most” he said. He also taught me that the idea that Daruma of different colours are used to make specific wishes is very recent, therefore he believes that it is better for people to pick Daruma they naturally lean towards. This is also why you can find very rare and unique colours of Daruma at the Arai family workshop.

The dolls are used for prayers and wishes. “People draw in one eye when they make a wish, and the other when it comes true. It’s all about hoping for happiness.”

The Craft Behind the Symbol

Producing each Daruma doll is a meticulous process. “It takes a year just to create the body,” he noted. The traditional technique to make a Daruma body contains many steps. First, the artisan carves out a solid block of wood into the desired size and shape. Then, a layer of paper-mâché is applied by hand onto the shape, carefully shaping all the facial details. This process is repeated a few times, waiting for each layer to fully dry every time, before cutting open and unmolding the paper body of the Daruma in a way that made me think about a mother giving birth.

This means that if they want to make hundreds of Daruma at once, they need to have hundreds of Daruma bodies of various sizes carved out of solid wood.

“The wooden bodies that we use were carved by my grandfather, about 100 years ago,”he said proudly. What incredible trans-generational treasures!

The Arai family start producing small Daruma in spring, gradually crafting larger sizes through the seasons. “It’s easier to scale up from a small one. Surprisingly, the smallest dolls are the hardest to make,” he added.

The dolls are painted layer by layer—starting with red for the body, then white for the face, orange for the eyes, black for the facial features, and finally golden glitter around the eyes. I asked him how long this takes: “It all depends on the weather, since we dry them in the sun. If it rains, the process slows down.”

I also asked Arai-san what his favourite part of crafting a Daruma is, and he said that he particularly enjoys painting the facial hair. He was inspired by his grandfather to develop his own calligraphy skills, and now infuses decades of practice into every single beard, each uniquely crafted with love.

Family and Philosophy

Currently in its fourth generation, with the fifth already involved, Arai Daruma remains committed to handmade excellence. “We don’t focus on mass production. We make each one with care, as a family. That’s enough,” he said humbly. The team of six artisans each contributes to the process, specializing in different parts but able to switch roles when needed.

The artisans of the Arai family make their Daruma dolls with the philosophy that they are in training for the rest of their lives.

Special Editions and Collectables

Arai Daruma also creates limited edition Daruma dolls, such as their yearly zodiac animal. “Collectors buy one every year to complete the 12-year cycle. We don’t remake past years, so once they’re gone, they’re gone!” Looking ahead, Arai-san is already thinking about next year’s design. “It’ll be a horse, but I can’t share details yet,” he laughed. I told him I would make sure to go back on the year of the rooster to get my own zodiac Daruma.

There is one original style created by Arai Daruma that is very striking, to say the least: the facial hair on Daruma are carefully painted on their faces using excellent calligraphy skills. However, Arai Daruma created an actually hairy style of Daruma, with luscious eyebrows and a glorious moustache. “A client once asked my grandfather for a more visually striking Daruma, to hope for better luck for the year. My grandfather came up with this design. It’s quite unique, isn’t it?” Arai-san told me when I asked more about their hairy specialty.

Legacy and the Future

When asked what he hopes for the future of Soshu Daruma, he answered simply: “I want this tradition to live on. But more than anything, I want to keep making Daruma dolls by hand—with heart and sincerity.”

In a world moving quickly toward automation, Arai Daruma stands quietly firm, embodying patience, tradition, and the enduring spirit of craftsmanship. The family’s guiding principle, “create Daruma with gratitude”, underscores their commitment to quality and tradition

Make your Own Daruma

Visitors to Arai Daruma have the opportunity to engage in a hands-on Daruma painting experience. This activity allows you to personalize your own Daruma doll, making it a memorable souvenir or gift. The experience typically lasts around 1 hour and is available from ¥1,000.

You can also order custom-made Daruma from them. You can request different colours, sizes, and writing on their belly. It is a common gift for weddings, births, or the opening of a new business for example.

RESERVATION ONLY, please contact Arai Daruma directly, or contact us for English support.

A Meaningful Souvenir

Since every single Daruma doll is crafted and painted by hand, they are all unique and all have their own tiny quirks. Arai-san always tells customers to choose the ones that appeal to them, based on how they feel when they look into their eyes. For example, I chose the Snake zodiac Daruma doll for sale in she shop (under construction) because I thought he looked particularly sweet.

A visit to Arai Daruma offers more than just a glimpse into traditional Japanese craftsmanship; it provides an opportunity to create a personalized symbol of good fortune. Whether you’re seeking a unique souvenir, a meaningful gift, or a cultural experience, Arai Daruma in Hiratsuka City is a destination that embodies the spirit of Japanese tradition and artistry.