Japanese Traditional Dolls.

I saw some very unique Japanese dolls during my connecting flight in Narita airport. I wanted to buy them but they were so expensive. :( At least i go to see them. Here are some Japanese dolls that caught my attention.

I'm gonna talk about one in particular:

DARUMA DOLLS

I took this picture of a pile of Daruma dolls at Narita airport. Daruma dolls are usually red and represent a bearded man. Though people think it's a toy at first, the Japanese consider it more as a good luck charm. Definitely a good gift for encouragement.

bottom picture from wikipedia.

Darumas are usually made of papier-mache and are round.

Eyes of Daruma dolls are usually sold blank when sold. The owner of the doll is supposed to paint one eye when making a wish and to paint the other if the wish comes true.

Traditionally, Darumas were bought by a family and that only the head of the household would paint in the eyes.

A special ceremony called the Daruma Kuyo(だるま供養), is held once every year after New Years Day. At the event, people bring all the Darumas they used last year and turn them into a temple, buying new ones for the next year. All of the dolls are then burned together in the temple.

KOKESHI DOLLS

photos above from wikipedia

JAPANESE GEISHA DOLLS.