Vintage Wooden Daruma by Akira Gotō | 8 cm

This small wooden Daruma was made by Akira Gotō (後藤晧, 1935–2015), a Japanese craftsman from Naruko in Miyagi Prefecture.

Gotō was best known as a maker of traditional Naruko Kokeshi. For this Daruma, he chose a bold, almost graphic design: the characteristic red body provides the backdrop for an expressive face in black and natural wood tones, with heavy eyebrows and a striking beard.

In Japan, Daruma symbolise perseverance, good fortune and the determination to keep working towards a goal. Its compact size gives this example particular charm, while the maker's signature connects it directly to Gotō's work.

The underside is hand-marked 晧作, meaning "made by Akira".

Dimensions
Height: 8 cm
Weight: 140 g

Discover more about the meaning of Daruma in our Tamashii Guide.

Every vintage piece in our collection has its own story and bears the marks of its past. Please examine the photographs carefully for an honest impression of its condition and any signs of age or use.