Vintage Yamanaka-style Daruma doll, a hand crafted traditional talisman from Yamanaka Onsen, located in Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. Yamanaka is renowned for its lacquerware and fine woodcrafts, and this Daruma reflects that artisanal heritage.
Made from natural wood, turned on a lathe using traditional techniques distinctive to Yamanaka lacquerware production. The surface has been left unpainted except for the face and robe outlines, showcasing the wood’s natural grain and warm tone.
The face is sharply painted with a stern, intense gaze, thick eyebrows, and a brushy beard—symbolic of the Buddhist monk Bodhidharma, whom the doll represents. A small red mouth adds a hint of character, and the eyes are expressive but blank, consistent with the tradition of filling in the pupils when setting and achieving goals.
The black character 「福」 (fuku) on its chest means “good fortune”, a common wish associated with Daruma dolls. Yamanaka artisans are known for their fine lathe-turned woodwork, and this Daruma likely reflects that tradition, with its smooth, seamless curves and balanced form. The unpainted body suggests a more natural, refined aesthetic, typical of regional, high-quality Daruma that differ from mass-produced red variants.
Sizew: 4 x 4 x 4.5cm
