When Mom was here I bought myself a Daruma doll at the shrine in Asakusa. Daruma dolls are armless and legless, hollow and round wish dolls that you buy eyeless. You paint one eye in black ink as you make your wish. You then paint the other one in when your wish comes true or the year ends. I’m not telling what my wish was, but it did not come true. The year ended. Once both eyes are filled in you are then apparently supposed to take the doll back to the shrine to have it burned by the priests. This is because you are not supposed to throw anything away that has eyes. It is also done for purification reasons. It tells that kami (or gods) that you have not given up on the wish, but are on another path to make it come true. I like that sentiment a lot.
I doubt I’ll take it back to the shrine, although I would like to get another one and make another wish. I am obviously on a different path to make the previous wish to come true, so new wishes are always good. I have a feeling that this will instead be burnt on the grill in the backyard. Since BBQ’s happen in this house about once a week, it’ll go soon. Have no fear.
6 responses so far ↓
1 Angela // Jan 10, 2008 at 4:12 am
I think that doll looks cool and im sorry that your wish didnt come true. Wish for it agagin and i think all your photos are cool.
2 admin // Jan 10, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Thanks. I think he looks angry. Maybe he’s just concentrating hard on making the wish come true. Ya think?
3 Angela // Jan 15, 2008 at 3:08 am
LOL maybe thst is right maybe your wish really made him think. Whatever the case may be continue to srive and have fun I wish I could go to japan. How do you say angela in japanese or what does it look like?
4 admin // Jan 15, 2008 at 7:56 am
Angela – you can see your name written in Japanese here (http://www.stockkanji.com/Names+in+Japanese/Names+A/Angela.htm).
5 Angela // Jan 17, 2008 at 4:38 am
Thank you and i got to see the doll up close in personal today. I checked out my name in japanese as well, i went to see my sons name and it wasnt there DeAngelo. And another question do you have to know their language or do they help you when you like are lost or something?
6 admin // Jan 17, 2008 at 7:09 am
I actually know very little of the language. Most of the signs are in English or in Roman letters and people are very willing to help you out. I once had a woman who I’d asked to help me find a hotel ask directions for me, call the place to ask directions and then take me there herself. Once they agree to help you, the only honorable thing to do is to make sure they finish the job.
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