Daruma - Harusame-bori Handicraft - Figurine By Suizan, Craftsman - Japan 1970-80 - Hama1024-10

Wood carving - engraved and incised line work. This craft is called Harusame-bori style, achrome with engraved decoration, in dogwood or birch wood. The faces are inspired by Noh theater masks - This style was mainly produced in the city of Kaminoyama (Yamagata prefecture). We know of a few artists who practiced it, but nothing is known about their lives: Suizan (Tohoku region) -Kagami Genzo city of Kaminoyama, Sadasuki Tesaku, Kanshichi..The Harusame-bori type of Kokeshi is no longer practiced - This is Daruma, Buddhist monk "Bodhidharma", initiator of Zen Buddhism in Japan. 5th 6th century AD. He decided to stop in a cave to meditate until he reached Enlightenment. He spent nine years observing the cave wall, sitting still, without moving and without closing his eyes. In the seventh year, he fell asleep from exhaustion. Furious with himself, he decided to cut off his eyelids so as never to fall asleep again. According to legend, green tea plants sprouted at the place where the eyelids were thrown. Green tea is thus reputed to help with meditation. After remaining in the same sitting position for nine years, without moving, he lost the use of his limbs (atrophied, or detached from his body, according to legends). Thus, Daruma is represented with a round or ovoid body, without arms or legs. The large, open eyes without eyelids embody the struggle, determination and perseverance of the monk Bodhidharma.