Japanese 
dolls 
Daruma and Togaku

Daruma is a traditional Japanese doll, a symbol of faith and perseverance. It is given as a New Year's gift to make a wish and start a new chapter in life. The color red brings good luck, and its armless, legless shape reminds us to never give up and to strive for our goals. Togaku is a forgotten name for Daruma and its modern incarnation. It is created using an ancient technique, but with the perfect shape of a tumbler doll that always returns to balance. Inside each doll is a pine seed, a symbol of new life and growth. Daruma helps us dream, Togaku inspires us to act. Both dolls remind us that no matter how many times we fall, the key is to get up again and move forward.

Many centuries ago, there lived in Japan a monk named Togaku, the abbot of the Shorinji Temple. During a time of drought and famine, he turned to the saint Bodhidharma, the Indian monk and founder of Zen Buddhism, who meditated for nine years until he attained enlightenment. To honor the saint and ask for his help, Togaku asked a craftsman to make a doll depicting Bodhidharma in meditation. The doll was made without eyes, and Togaku painted one eye, wishing for rain. Soon, rain did indeed fall, and when the harvest was successful, the monk painted the doll a second eye as a sign of gratitude. Thus, the Daruma doll was born, a symbol of perseverance and the fulfillment of wishes. Today, it is known throughout Japan as Daruma, but in some provinces, it is still called by the name of its creator, Togaku.

- Created in Japan over 300 years ago. - Symbolizes perseverance, faith, and the fulfillment of one cherished wish. - Traditionally red, like the robe of the monk Bodhidharma. - Made of papier-mâché, it has a round shape without arms or legs. - The face features crane-shaped eyebrows and a turtle-shaped beard—symbols of longevity. - Daruma is usually given at New Year's to start the year with a new purpose. - Helps fulfill one important wish per year.

Togaku is the forgotten ancient name of the Japanese Daruma doll, a symbol of perseverance, faith, and inner strength. - It is made using an ancient Japanese technique and has the perfect shape of a tumbler doll—no matter how it falls, it always returns to its upright position. - Inside each Togaku is a pine seed, a symbol of new life and renewal. - Togaku is given for birthdays, business openings, project launches, relocations, or any new endeavor—when you want to breathe fresh energy into your life and take a step toward your dreams. - Togaku is a reminder: every fall is not the end, but a new start. The main thing is to get up again and move forward.