White DARUMA painting yourself
A handcrafted Shirakawa Daruma — hand-painted in Fukushima, no two faces alike.
White DARUMA (paint it yourself). A blank Shirakawa Daruma with a plain white face — yours to paint. Comes undecorated so you can make your own wish in your own hand.
- Size: 8.5cm H × 8cm W
- Material: Washi paper, hand-painted watercolors
- Origin: Handmade in Shirakawa, Fukushima, Japan
The design. The face of a Shirakawa Daruma brings together five auspicious symbols — crane (long life), turtle (perseverance), pine (resilience), bamboo (growth), and plum (hope) — gathered into a single gaze. The composition is attributed to the master painter Tani Bunchō.
Making a wish. Paint the left eye to make a wish. When the wish comes true, paint the right eye to complete the ritual. Until then, the daruma watches over you.
Who's it for?
- Travelers seeking a meaningful Japanese keepsake
- Anyone making a wish — a new job, exam, recovery, or new beginning
- Gift-givers for weddings, housewarmings, baby births, and graduations
- Collectors of authentic Japanese folk art
The Workshop — Shirakawa Daruma Sōhonpo
Founded over 300 years ago during the Edo period. Today, the workshop is led by the 14th-generation owner, Takaaki Watanabe, with a small team of local artisans handcrafting each piece in Shirakawa, Fukushima — Japan's traditional folk-art region.
"Folk art is slowly disappearing from Japanese homes.
We hope this small symbol of luck reaches as many lives as possible — yours included."
— 14th Generation, Takaaki Watanabe
Gifting
Comes ready for gifting. Beautiful for: Weddings · Housewarmings · Baby Births · Graduations · Get-Well Wishes · Lunar New Year · Birthdays. We ship worldwide from Fukushima, Japan.
About Akabeko Land
In addition to our online shop, we operate two cultural experience centers in Aizu, Fukushima where you can paint your own akabeko or daruma: Akabeko Land — Iimoriyama & Nanokamachi.