Daruma, unknown maker from Japan

Artwork Overview

Daruma
Daruma
Daruma
early 1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)
Daruma , early 1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)
Where object was made: Japan
Material/technique: pigments; wood; gilding; gesso; carving
Dimensions:
Object Height/Width/Depth (Height x Width x Depth): without shoes 54.8 x 32.6 x 20.6 cm
Object Height/Width/Depth (Height x Width x Depth): 21 9/16 x 12 13/16 x 8 1/8 in
Object Height/Width/Depth (Height x Width x Depth): approximately with shoes 54.8 x 32.6 x 23.2 cm
Object Height/Width/Depth (Height x Width x Depth): 21 9/16 x 12 13/16 x 9 1/8 in
Credit line: Museum purchase: R. Charles and Mary Margaret Clevenger Art Acquisition Fund
Accession number: 2012.0093.a-c
Not on display
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Exhibition Label: "Nature/Natural," Feb-2011, Kris Ercums "Nature/Natural: Supple Virtue: Bamboo in East Asian Painting," July-2014, Kris Ercums With a stern face and glaring eyes, this sculpture depicts Daruma with legs tucked under his robe, seated in a meditation pose. In front of him is a pair of slippers on a shoe stand. This portrayal recalls a famous legend that Daruma is said to have practiced assiduous meditation for nine years on Mt. Song in China. Carved from a single piece of wood, the sculpture sits on a chair. Only eminent monks were enshrined on these large sized "chief chairs, " which symbolize outstanding spiritual achievement and status as an abbot par excellence. Sculptures of Daruma were often enshrined along with other images of Zen masters in patriarchal halls within Zen temple complexes. This is one clue as to how this particular Daruma may have been used in its original context. Although the sculpture is only about forty-five centimeters in height, it was probably placed on a raised altar as indicated by the lifelike glass eyes intended to cast a downward gaze, most likely from an elevated position.

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View another work in the Spencer’s collection showing Daruma crossing the river on a reed.