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This finely carved Meiji period (1868–1912) okimono presents Daruma (Bodhidharma), the legendary founder of Zen Buddhism, captured in a rare and animated moment. The figure stretches wide-mouthed and yawning, as though just awakening after his famed 14-year meditation. The sculptor has skillfully rendered the vitality of this moment, with flowing robes highlighted in their original red pigment, contrasting beautifully against the warm patina of the boxwood. The carving remains in excellent condition, complete with no breaks, preserving the artist’s humor and humanity in full.
Daruma is revered for his unshakable discipline and persistence. According to tradition, he meditated in silence for nine years facing a wall, a practice so severe that his arms and legs withered away. Later tales expanded this devotion into 14 years of unbroken meditation, during which he achieved perfect enlightenment. This okimono draws on those legends but shows a lighter side—Daruma waking with a great stretch, embodying the balance of discipline and humanity that Zen often celebrates.
Many Japanese stories and images of Daruma emphasize resilience. One tale recounts how he fell asleep during meditation and, enraged at his weakness, cut off his own eyelids; where they fell, tea plants sprang up, giving monks a natural aid to keep awake. Another depicts him crossing the Yangtze River on a single reed, a symbol of his supernatural discipline and spiritual power. This playful figure belongs to that same tradition of storytelling, reminding the viewer that even great sages are touched by human needs such as rest and renewal.
Okimono such as this were created for private enjoyment and display, often carved with wit and personality. The artist here has chosen not to portray Daruma as the austere patriarch, but instead as a man of flesh and spirit—stretching, smiling, alive. The original red pigment of his robe remains vivid, emphasizing both movement and warmth. For collectors, it represents a fusion of Zen philosophy, Japanese humor, and Meiji artistry, perfectly preserved in wood. The carving is further enlivened by the addition of inlaid eyes, a fine detail that brings Daruma’s expression to life and adds intensity to his awakening gaze.
Age: circa early 1900's
Dimensions: 2 1/3" long x 1 1/2" high
Daruma is revered for his unshakable discipline and persistence. According to tradition, he meditated in silence for nine years facing a wall, a practice so severe that his arms and legs withered away. Later tales expanded this devotion into 14 years of unbroken meditation, during which he achieved perfect enlightenment. This okimono draws on those legends but shows a lighter side—Daruma waking with a great stretch, embodying the balance of discipline and humanity that Zen often celebrates.
Many Japanese stories and images of Daruma emphasize resilience. One tale recounts how he fell asleep during meditation and, enraged at his weakness, cut off his own eyelids; where they fell, tea plants sprang up, giving monks a natural aid to keep awake. Another depicts him crossing the Yangtze River on a single reed, a symbol of his supernatural discipline and spiritual power. This playful figure belongs to that same tradition of storytelling, reminding the viewer that even great sages are touched by human needs such as rest and renewal.
Okimono such as this were created for private enjoyment and display, often carved with wit and personality. The artist here has chosen not to portray Daruma as the austere patriarch, but instead as a man of flesh and spirit—stretching, smiling, alive. The original red pigment of his robe remains vivid, emphasizing both movement and warmth. For collectors, it represents a fusion of Zen philosophy, Japanese humor, and Meiji artistry, perfectly preserved in wood. The carving is further enlivened by the addition of inlaid eyes, a fine detail that brings Daruma’s expression to life and adds intensity to his awakening gaze.
Age: circa early 1900's
Dimensions: 2 1/3" long x 1 1/2" high
$3,750.00
item #1508275
