Daruma doll market in Kawagoe! 毎年恒例１月３日川越喜多院の達磨市

Every year on the 3rd of January, there is Daruma doll market in Kawagoe. Daruma doll is Japanese traditional toy. The concept is based on Bodihidharma, zen sect of Buddhism.It is said that Daruma doll is a symbol of perseverance and good luck. After the first visit of the year to a temple, many people would buy Daruma doll praying good luck to the new year. Don’t you think is that interesting?

This is Kitain Shirine, having 1200 years history. Today tons of people visited there to pray and buy daruma doll. The street around there are closed all day and drivers had to detour. Let’s got inside of the special market!

Daruma doll are displayed like the picture and venders sell them like this. The color of Daruma doll is traditionally RED because it probably came from the color of priest’s robes. However recently depends on what you wish, you can select your own color. I saw red, yellow, gold, blue, green etc….

In Japan, on February, there is very important examination for students to enter University. To pass the exam, students or their family of the students will get Gokaku-Daruma doll (picture above). By the way, can you tell all eye are blank? Do you know why? As soon as  you buy it, you put a black dot into one blank with wishing your fortune. Then when your dream comes true, you fill another blank eye. That’s the way how Daruma doll works.

This is World Cup 2014 Brasil version!! Samurai Blue!!

They got the biggest one. Depending on sizes, the price will change though, this one is around $150. They’ve already reserved it before the New Year, so craftsmen wrote company’s name on the body. The smallest one is $3.

These venders have been selling Daruma doll for over 20 years. Each design is different and some face are white, others are pink. You can find your favorite design. I found one! I was gonna buy small gold one but unfortunately gold daruma dolls were all sold out. I will wait until next year.

Daruma Doll market Festival

January 3rd every year

@ Kitain Temple

Kosenba-machi 1-20-1, Kawagoe city,Saitama

川越市小仙波町1-20-1.

Tel. 049-222-085