Hi, we are from Shim-Maebashi Train Depot (新前橋運輸区 Shin-maebashi unyuku) which manages the train crew and railways in Gunma Prefecture (群馬県), located just an hour away from Tokyo by Shinkansen. In our depot, there are various trains including Hana (華), which is a special train that exudes a Japanese atmosphere with its traditional Japanese-style interior.
Gunma has abundant nature, and there are many famous hot springs such as Kusatsu Onsen (草津温泉) and Ikaho Onsen (伊香保温泉). In Gunma Prefecture, Joyful Trains such as SL Gunma and Resort Yamadori (リゾートやまどり) operate on holidays and are busy along the railway lines. Gunma has many more attractive tourist destinations and rich culture. But do you know that there is a special craft that fulfils people’s wishes here in Gunma? It’s the Daruma doll.
The Daruma doll
Daruma (だるま) is a traditional Japanese craft. In Japan, Daruma dolls are commonly found around the country, but the most famous production area is Takasaki City (高崎市) in Gunma Prefecture. It accounts for 80% of the nation’s market share.
There are Daruma dolls all around at Takasaki Station (高崎駅), which is the central station of Gunma Prefecture. Daruma dolls are hidden in various places such as passageways and walls. If you have a chance to come to Takasaki Station, please keep a look out for them!
The design features of Takasaki’s Daruma dolls are crane-shaped eyebrows and turtle-shaped beard, and these are both long-lived and auspicious animals with deep meanings.
In addition, the unique shape of Takasaki’s Daruma doll is designed such that it rises immediately no matter how many times it falls—just like how the Japanese proverb,「七転び八起き」(Nana korobi Ya oki, literal translation: Fall down seven times, get up eight) goes. As such, the Daruma is said to represent a calm mind and resilience that can overcome any difficulties or setbacks.
Another special trait is that the wish is usually written in gold colour on the belly and both shoulders. For that reason, it is also called the “The Lucky Daruma” or “The Fortune Daruma”. While Daruma dolls are traditionally red in colour, Daruma dolls of various colours and designs are also common in recent years.
When you first receive a Daruma doll, it has no eyes. First, you’ll need to draw one eye in with a wish in mind. Be sure to place the Daruma somewhere where you can see it. Next, when your wish comes true, you thank the Daruma doll and draw the other eye in. Daruma dolls that have finished their “wish fulfilling” duties are put in a fire and burned for memorial service. In Japan, this burning ceremony is called Otaki-age (お焚きあげ).
Daruma drawing
There are many Daruma doll workshops around Takasaki City, and each Daruma doll is carefully made by skilled craftsmen. There are also places where you can experience drawing a Daruma doll along with your own wishes. The drawing experience varies from drawing eyebrows and beards on the face of a Daruma doll, or even painting the white bodies with your favourite colours and designs.
In our virtual tour, we initially planned to have a drawing experience on a white Daruma doll with a face in the Hana train where you can feel Japan in a Japanese-style train cabin. Our crew tested it out for a trial run, when they actually drew the dolls in the train. You can see how happy they are drawing freely in the photo above!
Even though it is unfortunate that we were not selected to conduct the virtual tour in the Let’s vote! 7 virtual tours led by JR East’s train crew campaign, we drew the Daruma dolls with the hope that COVID-19 would end. We really wish that you will visit Gunma and enjoy the painting experience someday!
What kind of design would you like to draw on your Daruma doll? What kind of wish would you make?
Daruma Bento
Are you hungry? Here’s a bento box that will satisfy your hunger cravings!
The Daruma culture is deeply rooted in Gunma’s culture, and naturally, we have an ekiben called the Daruma Bento (だるま弁当). It is made with the image of Buddhist cuisine (精進料理 Shojin Ryori) that uses abundant mountain vegetables. After you’re done with the food, the Daruma Bento container can be used as a post-meal piggy bank. Money can be put in from the mouth of the Daruma lunch box, making it a very sustainable and useful product!
You can buy the Daruma Bento at ekiben stores within major train stations in Gunma such as Takasaki Station. Please try it when you come to Japan!
See you in Gunma!
While we are saddened that our virtual tour did not become a reality this time, we hope that you will develop an interest in Gunma after reading this article. Gunma still has various attractions such as sightseeing spots, rich culture, and delicious food that are not mentioned here, so please visit Gunma and experience it for yourself. The winners of this voting campaign, Hachinohe Train Depot and Fukushima Train Depot, have each planned a wonderful virtual tour that we are sure you will enjoy. In the meantime, we’ll be waiting for you in Gunma. See you soon!
Header image credit: Shim-Maebashi Train Depot
Writer’s profile: We are a team of train drivers and conductors of the Shim-Maebashi Train Depot. When you come to Gunma, we’ll offer you a comfortable and enjoyable train journey. We are looking forward to your visit.
