Vintage Wooden Daruma by Sakurai Shōji | 9 cm

This compact wooden Daruma was made by Sakurai Shōji (桜井昭二, 1927–2011), an important craftsman within the traditional Naruko kokeshi tradition and the fourth generation of the Sakurai family of Naruko Onsen.

Its form clearly differs from Sakurai's more conventional Naruko kokeshi. Instead of an elongated doll, he created a compact rounded Daruma with a remarkably expressive face. Heavy black eyebrows, large eyes, a pronounced moustache and beard give the figure an almost theatrical character.

The warm natural wood of the face contrasts strongly with the red and black painted exterior. Simple but confident brushwork gives this small Daruma a surprisingly strong presence.

Despite measuring only 9 cm, its weight of 169 grams gives it a pleasingly solid feel.

The underside is particularly interesting. It bears 鳴子 – Naruko and the name 桜井昭二 – Sakurai Shōji, together with a date that can be read as Shōwa 48, 10th month, 7th day, corresponding to 7 October 1973.

Sakurai Shōji belonged to a family of woodturners active in Naruko for generations. Alongside preserving traditional Naruko forms, the Sakurai family also developed new and more playful designs, making an unusual Daruma such as this an appealing example of that broader creative spirit.

In Japan, Daruma symbolises perseverance, resilience and good fortune and is inspired by Bodhidharma, the monk traditionally associated with the origins of Zen Buddhism.

Dimensions
Height: 9 cm
Weight: 169 g
Material: wood

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.