A striking Ōmi Daruma (近江だるま) dorei clay bell, modeled in the familiar rounded form of Daruma, the traditional Japanese symbol of perseverance, resilience, and good fortune.
This piece is painted in a vivid red, with an expressive face framed by a blue-and-white dotted headband. The body is decorated with auspicious seasonal motifs, including bamboo, pine and plum blossoms, both closely associated with endurance, renewal, and good fortune. The freely painted details and slightly irregular surface give the bell a warm handmade folk-art character.
Daruma figures are inspired by Bodhidharma, the legendary founder of Zen Buddhism. In Japanese culture, Daruma became a powerful symbol of determination and the ability to recover from hardship, often associated with the saying 七転び八起き (nanakorobi yaoki) — “fall seven times, rise eight.”
The term Ōmi (近江) refers to the historic province corresponding largely to present-day Shiga Prefecture. Regional Daruma and dorei such as this were often created as local folk toys and good-luck souvenirs, combining familiar religious symbolism with distinctive local craft traditions.
As a dorei (土鈴), the figure also contains a small clay pellet that produces a gentle sound when moved. In Japanese folk culture, bells have long been associated with purification, protection, and the warding away of misfortune.
Size: 8 x 7 x 9cm
