Daruma

this is a big painting of daruma, a famous doll here in japan.
no one was around when i took this shot so i wasn't able to include a person in the pic so you'll have an idea just how big it is.

it's in tojiin temple. the second nearest temple from my apartment. (about ten minutes on foot, 5 by bike. :P)

(being in kyoto- the old capital, protected area, mushroomed with temples and shrines, one uses the temple nearest his/her house as reference)

according to legend, daruma (bodhidarma, the founder of zen buddhism) attained enlightenment after meditating in a cave for 7 years without blinking his eyes. during those years, his arms and legs atrophied. (aw!) thus the japanese daruma/ tumbler doll.
the doll depicts bodhidharma seated in meditation. it's resilient- doesn't fall. when knocked on one side- it returns to the original upright position. thus the saying: "nana korobi yaoki." it means if you fail/fall seven times, get up eight.

inspiring, ne.