だるま（達磨）とは – 英語で説明するために – 英会話形式で学ぶ

Hey Key, have you ever bought a Daruma doll?

I saw some at a shop in Asakusa yesterday. They looked interesting, but I don’t really know much about them.

Really? What’s the story behind them?

So that’s why people call Takasaki the home of Daruma?

Interesting! But why are they round and without arms or legs?

That’s inspiring. I can see why people like them.

Right, I noticed they had blank eyes. Why is that?

Oh, so it helps people visualize their goals. That’s clever!

I’ve seen politicians holding Daruma dolls during campaigns. That makes sense now.

Are they always red?

Wow, so each color has a different meaning. That makes them even more appealing.

That’s amazing. It’s like every detail has a meaning.

That sounds fun! I’d love to make a Daruma myself and draw in the eyes.

Origin and History
Daruma dolls are one of the most famous traditional lucky charms in Japan. They are modeled after Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism, who came from India to China in the 6th century. In Japan, Daruma became popular in the Edo period. The city of Takasaki in Gunma Prefecture is especially known as the home of Daruma, producing about 80 percent of the dolls in the country.

Shape and Meaning
The dolls have a very simple but unique design. They are round, without arms or legs. This shape shows the spirit of “fall seven times, get up eight,” meaning never give up. Because they always return to an upright position, they became a symbol of perseverance and strength.

Eyes and Wishes
A Daruma doll’s eyes are blank when you buy it. People draw one eye when they make a wish or set a goal. When the wish comes true, they draw the other eye. In this way, the doll helps people clearly see their progress and success. This is one of the most special features of Daruma.

Colors and Designs
Traditionally, Daruma dolls are red, because red is believed to protect against evil and sickness. Today, you can find many colors. Gold stands for wealth, white for purity, and pink for love. The eyebrows are shaped like cranes, and the beard like turtles, both symbols of long life in Japan.

Popularity and Festivals
Daruma dolls are popular in many situations—exams, business, elections, and sports. Every year, big Daruma markets are held. The most famous one is the Shorinzan Daruma Market in Takasaki in January, which attracts more than 200,000 visitors. In Tokyo, the Jindaiji Daruma Market in March is also well-known.

Hey Key, have you ever bought a Daruma doll?

ねえキー、だるまを買ったことある？

I saw some at a shop in Asakusa yesterday. They looked interesting, but I don’t really know much about them.

昨日、浅草のお店で見かけたんだ。面白そうだったけど、あまり詳しく知らなくてさ。

Really? What’s the story behind them?

本当？どんな由来があるの？

So that’s why people call Takasaki the home of Daruma?

なるほど、それで高崎がだるまの本場って言われるんだね？

Interesting! But why are they round and without arms or legs?

面白いね！でも、なんで丸くて手足がないの？

That’s inspiring. I can see why people like them.

なるほど、勇気をもらえるね。人気があるのもわかるよ。

Right, I noticed they had blank eyes. Why is that?

そうそう、目が描かれてなかったけど、どうして？

Oh, so it helps people visualize their goals. That’s clever!

なるほど、目標を見える形にするんだ。賢い方法だね！

I’ve seen politicians holding Daruma dolls during campaigns. That makes sense now.

政治家が選挙のときにだるまを持ってるのを見たことあるけど、やっと意味がわかったよ。

Are they always red?

だるまって、いつも赤なの？

Wow, so each color has a different meaning. That makes them even more appealing.

へえ、色ごとに意味があるんだ。ますます魅力的だね。

That’s amazing. It’s like every detail has a meaning.

すごいね。細かいところまで全部意味があるんだ。

That sounds fun! I’d love to make a Daruma myself and draw in the eyes.

楽しそう！自分でだるまを作って目を描いてみたいな。

Origin and History
Daruma dolls are one of the most famous traditional lucky charms in Japan. They are modeled after Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism, who came from India to China in the 6th century. In Japan, Daruma became popular in the Edo period. The city of Takasaki in Gunma Prefecture is especially known as the home of Daruma, producing about 80 percent of the dolls in the country.

だるま人形は、日本で最も有名な伝統的な縁起物の一つです。モデルは禅宗の祖である達磨大師で、6世紀にインドから中国へ渡った僧侶です。日本では江戸時代に広まりました。特に群馬県高崎市は「だるまの本場」として知られ、日本のだるまの約8割を生産しています。

Shape and Meaning
The dolls have a very simple but unique design. They are round, without arms or legs. This shape shows the spirit of “fall seven times, get up eight,” meaning never give up. Because they always return to an upright position, they became a symbol of perseverance and strength.

だるま人形はとてもシンプルで独特なデザインをしています。丸く、手足がありません。この形は「七転び八起き」の精神を表し、決してあきらめないという意味があります。倒れても必ず起き上がるので、忍耐や強さの象徴となりました。

Eyes and Wishes
A Daruma doll’s eyes are blank when you buy it. People draw one eye when they make a wish or set a goal. When the wish comes true, they draw the other eye. In this way, the doll helps people clearly see their progress and success. This is one of the most special features of Daruma.

だるま人形の目は、買ったときは白いままです。人々は願いごとをするときや目標を立てるときに片目を入れます。そして、願いが叶ったときにもう片方を描きます。こうしてだるまは、人々が自分の進歩や成功をはっきりと見えるように助けてくれます。これはだるまの最も特別な特徴の一つです。

Traditionally, Daruma dolls are red, because red is believed to protect against evil and sickness. Today, you can find many colors. Gold stands for wealth, white for purity, and pink for love. The eyebrows are shaped like cranes, and the beard like turtles, both symbols of long life in Japan.

伝統的に、だるま人形は赤色です。赤は邪気や病気を防ぐと信じられてきました。現代ではさまざまな色があります。金は富、白は清らかさ、ピンクは愛を表します。眉は鶴、ひげは亀の形で、どちらも日本では長寿の象徴です。

Popularity and Festivals
Daruma dolls are popular in many situations—exams, business, elections, and sports. Every year, big Daruma markets are held. The most famous one is the Shorinzan Daruma Market in Takasaki in January, which attracts more than 200,000 visitors. In Tokyo, the Jindaiji Daruma Market in March is also well-known.

だるま人形は、受験、商売、選挙、スポーツなど、さまざまな場面で人気があります。毎年、大きなだるま市も開かれます。最も有名なのは、高崎で1月に行われる「少林山だるま市」で、20万人以上が訪れます。東京では、3月に行われる「深大寺だるま市」もよく知られています。