This temple was built in 1697 by the Obaku school of Zen Buddhism and is where the Japanese daruma dolls started. After attending the Daruma Festival last month, I wanted to visit this place in Gunma Prefecture.
It is relatively close to Takasaki, but there are few trains - maybe only one or two an hour, so I had to plan my time well. The temple is about a 15 minute walk from Gunma Yawata Station. There is no entry fee to visit this temple, but there are a lot of stairs.
It was a nice day and there were few people visiting the day I was there. I'm glad I was able to visit.
It's very unusual for you to travel beyond Tokyo to the Tohoku region. Takasaki city is very famous for Daruma. You may have a connection with the cute Daruma you purchased. Some Daruma these days are fixed so that they don't move, but the Daruma I saw when I was a child were swaying ones. The rocking Daruma has a weight at the bottom, so it won't roll. Japanese proverb 「七転び八起き」(nanakorobi-yaoki) The English transition is ”Fall down seven times and get up eight times“. This applies to Daruma. That's why Daruma is popular as a lucky charm.
It's very unusual for you to travel beyond Tokyo to the Tohoku region.
ReplyDeleteTakasaki city is very famous for Daruma. You may have a connection with the cute Daruma you purchased.
Some Daruma these days are fixed so that they don't move, but the Daruma I saw when I was a child were swaying ones. The rocking Daruma has a weight at the bottom, so it won't roll.
Japanese proverb
「七転び八起き」(nanakorobi-yaoki)
The English transition is ”Fall down seven times and get up eight times“.
This applies to Daruma.
That's why Daruma is popular as a lucky charm.
Beautiful stitching and such beautiful images of Japan, really brought back memories, thank you for sharing! Hope you have an amazing Spring Season!
ReplyDeletexoxo, Midori
https://www.midorilinea.com/blogs/midori-linea/my-daughters-turns-one-photoshoot
Those ARE a lot of stairs! But it really is so very beautiful. I can see why you love to visit these spots. I love seeing the Daruma!
ReplyDeleteThat tmeple is practically overflowing with Daruma dolls! What a fun place to visit.
ReplyDelete