Lucky charms (Daruma) in Japan

In Japan we have many kinds of lucky charms which are supposed to bring good luck or to take away bad luck.

Election winner

Daruma dolls are modeled after a great Zen priest "Bodhidarma". Their eyes are blank. When you make a wish, you paint one eye black. And when your wish comes true, you paint in the other eye.

Usually we use them at election time.
Candidates who have won the election paint in the second eye on a big daruma, shouting "Banzai!"(= "Hurray") in front of a daruma.

Daruma dolls are seen as a symbol of perseverance and good luck, making them a popular gift of encouragement. The doll has also been commercialized by many Buddhist temples to use alongside goal setting.