Netsuke "Daruma" 根付「達磨」

Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。

These are netsuke "Daruma" on show at Tokyo National Museum, the first by Hoshu Yamagata and the second by Hosen Miyazara. They are 3 to 5 cm tall, both carved from ivory.

A netsuke is a small carved ornament, especially of ivory or wood, worn as part of Japanese traditional dress as a toggle by which an article may be attached to the sash of a kimono. (Source: Lexico)

"Daruma" carved by Hoshu Yamagata from ivory 山形芳朱作「達磨」（象牙）

"Daruma" carved by Hosen Miyazara from ivory 宮澤宝泉「達磨」（象牙）

Daruma is the Japanese name of Bodhidharma, a semi-legendary Buddhist monk in South India in the 5th or 6th century and the transmitter of Zen Buddhism to China. So, he must have been a very serious and pious man, but in Japan, Daruma is known rather as a friendly playful character, like "Kashira" in the famous film "Spirited Away," "Daruma-chan" in a famous Japanese book for children "Little Daruma and Little Tengu," and "Daruma-san" in a children's game "Daruma-san Fell Over," which is similar to the US "Red Light Green Light." And look at these two Daruma netsuke!! I can't imagine Daruma being such a super-great monk. Can you?

Both sculptures made another Daruma netsuke each. Take a look at the one by Hoshu Yamagata, which looks like a traditional Japanese Daruma doll and the one by Hosen Miyazawa, my favorite one for its chubby tummy! If you love netsuke, read the following posts, too!

- Symbol of Peace? - Netsuke & Halloween

- Japanese Saying: Netsuke Titled "A-Hum"!
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- Kawaii Two-Legged Yokai Goblin Netsuke Sculpture
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- Ofuku (Netsuke) & Okonomiyaki (Japanese Savory Pancake)

- Netsuke "Daruma and Tengu"

- Netsuke - Wind and Thunder Gods, Masks, and Blowfish🐡

- Netsuke "Eating Toffee" - Is It A Toad or Frog?

- Netsuke "Bodhidharma (Daruma)"

- Netsuke "Ground Cherry" Is Scary😱

- Netsuke "Nue" (Legendary Monster😱)

- Netsuke "Carps" - Is Japanese Vague?

- Netsuke "Fukurokuju"

- Netsuke "Octopus" - Is Octopus An Insect?

- Netsuke/Ojime "Globe"

- Netsuke "Catnap"

- Netsuke "Cut Piece: Apple"

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東京国立博物館の山形芳朱作そして宮澤宝泉作の「達磨」です。両方とも象牙です。達磨って禅を中国に伝えたとっても偉いお坊さんだったんですね。知りませんでした。だって私のとっての達磨は「達磨さんが転んだ」の「達磨」、「だるまちゃんとてんぐちゃん」の「だるま」、「千と千尋の神隠し」の「頭（かしら）」で、真面目な達磨様なんて想像できない！　

山形芳朱氏も宮澤宝泉氏も別の達磨根付を掘っておられます。山形芳朱氏の達磨人形に似た根付、そして宮澤宝泉氏のお腹ぷりぷりの根付とも是非比べてみてください。

根付にご興味ある方は、以下の記事もどうぞ！

- 平和の象徴？「根付とハロウィン」