How do people make wishes with Daruma dolls in Japan?

稔 充
稔 充
Expert on Japan.

Alright, no problem! This whole thing about making wishes with Japanese Daruma dolls is actually quite interesting. It's not like making a fleeting wish on a shooting star; it's more like a "commitment" or "pact" you make with yourself.

Let me break it down for you in detail.


How Exactly Do Japanese Daruma Dolls Work?

Hi there! I see you're interested in Daruma wishes, and these dolls are indeed a very iconic good luck charm from Japan. You can think of them as a "goal-setting partner" or a "roly-poly version of a lucky carp."

The core principle of how they work can be summarized in one sentence: You paint one eye when you make a wish, and the other eye when the wish comes true.

Here are the detailed steps – it's quite simple!

Step-by-Step Guide to Making a Wish:

  1. Get a "Blank-Eyed" Daruma

    • When you buy a Daruma doll, its eyes are blank, with no pupils drawn. This isn't the manufacturer being lazy; it's precisely the essence of the doll!
  2. Define Your Wish

    • This step is particularly important! The wish you make with a Daruma should ideally be a specific goal that requires effort to achieve. For example, "I hope to get into my dream university this year," "I hope this project is completed successfully," or "I hope to successfully lose 10 pounds." It's not really meant for pipe dreams like "I wish a million dollars would fall from the sky," you know.
  3. Make Your Wish and Paint the "Left Eye"

    • Choose an appropriate moment, settle your mind, and while thinking about your wish, paint the pupil in the Daruma's left eye. (Note: this is the eye on its right side when you are facing it).
    • This act is highly ritualistic. It symbolizes you "opening an eye" for your goal and also signifies making a pact with the Daruma: "Hey buddy, this is my goal. Let's work hard together, and you better keep me accountable!"