OLIVIER ROBERT PHOTO

Daruma dolls (達磨), resilient symbols of Bodhidharma, the legendary founder of Zen Buddhism, embody Japan’s spirit of perseverance. Originally crafted from papier-mâché, their blank-eyed, self-righting forms inspire hope and determination. These votive objects now grace temples, festivals, and homes. Their ritual use reflects a timeless cycle of aspiration and renewal. © O. Robert Daruma dolls as we know them today trace their roots back to the 17th century in the Takasaki reg