We visited the annual Daruma Market at the Shorinzan Temple in Takasaki on January 6th. (All photos by Rodrigo Reyes Marin/AFLO)
Merchants sell Daruma dolls outside the Shorinzan Daruma Temple in Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture on January 6, 2016, Japan. Every year thousands of people visit the country’s most famous Daruma market (Daruma ichi) held at the Shorinzan Daruma Temple on January 6 and 7.
A monk receives a Daruma doll to pray for owner’s good luck at the Shorinzan Daruma Temple in Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture on January 6, 2016, Japan. Takasaki City, is known as the capital of Daruma dolls and about 80% of Japan’s Daruma are produced there. According to the tradition, Daruma dolls are sold without pupils painted on their eyes. People color in one pupil when a wish is made or a goal set, and when the wish comes true or the goal is achieved they fill in the other pupil.
Visitors return their Daruma dolls to be burned later at the Shorinzan Daruma Temple in Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture on January 6, 2016, Japan.
