DARUMA DOLLS

They are called Daruma (達磨) dolls of the Okiagari-kobōshi type. They are particular Japanese dolls that, due to their shape and texture, tend to go back straight every time they are pushed to one side. Whenever they are knocked down, they always come back to their feet. All time. Here you are. The secret is to do just like them.

The doll’s eyes are white: this is because tradition has it that the owner draws a first eye with black ink when making a wish or setting a goal. The second eye, on the other hand, will be drawn upon the fulfillment of the desire or the achievement of one’s goal.

You draw one eye making a wish, when it has come true you draw another eye. Many ask me “The bigger the more it works?”. Yes, it’s true. This tends to be the case. To me, whoever took the big one came back soon to tell me that he had already put a second eye. But I would recommend choosing the one that has more harmony, a more sympathetic one. Because Daruma is a companion until your dream is fulfilled.

In Japan, daruma dolls are probably one of the most bought objects as a good luck charm … they are figures without arms or legs and represent Bodhidharma, founder of the Zen tradition. The daruma is a motivational tool to achieve your goals, every time you look at the drawn eye and the missing one, it is a reminder of what you have promised to achieve. It must remind us that we must pursue and put all of ourselves into what we do, only with effort and perseverance can we achieve what we want. Always give your best and never lose sight of focus, in the face of obstacles, get up and continue always. The daruma doll is also used by companies that have to achieve an important goal, displayed where employees can see it as a reminder of the business goal.

How you can use it? Get a daruma.
Decide what is the goal you want to achieve with determination.
Draw one of the two eyes, symbolizing your commitment to achieving the goal.
Put the daruma in a visible place in your home or office, where you can look at it to remind you of the goal.
When the goal has been achieved, draw the second eye as a sign of thanks.
Behind the daruma write the goal you have achieved.
Once you have reached your goal, it’s time to get yourself another daruma and set yourself a new goal.

According to legend, the monk Bodhidharma founder of the Zen tradition from which the daruma takes its name, after meditating for ten years without moving, lost the use of his arms and legs. During meditation in a moment of weakness, the concentration of meditation waned and he fell asleep. When he awoke from shame he tore off his eyelids and threw them to the ground. Immediately afterwards, leaves sprouted that were able to ward off sleep, so the tea plant was born.

KIMONO TIME

Japan has always fascinated me. A vision of the world so far removed from that of the West, the contrast between discreet and refined voices and feelings, against rigor and absolute respect for honor. The figure of the Geisha and the world of the Samurai.

How is the kimono made? Women’s dresses are made up of at least 15 parts, each with a name that describes it (outer, inner, over and under collar lining, sleeve hole and drape, etc.). The dressing starts from the first layer, in contact with the skin (in the demonstration the models remained dressed), to continue with different layers as the quality and uniqueness of the kimono increases. In the demonstration, the girls were swaddled with meters and meters of fabric, every time they wore a layer I thought it was the last, but the dressing still continued. Even the middle layers (linings and petticoats) are of fine fabric, with refined decorations and colors.

The kimono is the traditional Japanese dress, both for men and women. There are long lists of names that define different types of kimonos, more or less valuable, according to the use and the category of people who wore them: formal for married women, business dress, with a decorated motif (which gives the name to the type of dress), or in common fabric to go to the spa, to practice martial arts or the art of entertainment of the Geisha.

Although the kimono is a distinctly Japanese form of clothing, its roots are said to be from China. The earliest form of kimono was worn as a type of underwear, gaining popularity in Japan during the Muromachi period (1392-1573), when they began to be worn without hakama (traditional Japanese pants) and paired with a shaft called an obi. Since the Edo period (1603-1867) the kimono as we know it today has truly become part of Japanese costumes, with an ever-increasing variety of colors, fabrics and styles available. The obi has become wider and the length of the sleeves has grown. The kimono is worn by women or girls and by men

There are several elements involved when wearing a kimono. To understand a kimono, it is important to know the pieces that make it up, here are some of the main parts that make up a kimono:
Kimono – is the main garment, which can be made from a variety of materials including, cotton, linen, wool and silk.

Obi – the outermost belt tied to a kimono. The knot can be tied in a variety of decorative ways.

Juban – A type of underwear specifically used with kimonos.

Koshi-himo – the belt tied around the waist to secure the kimono in place.

Datejime – A belt attached to the kimono, but under the obi, which helps obi maintain shape.

Tabi – Socks specially designed to be worn with traditional Japanese footwear.
The foot area is divided into two sections.

Geta, Zori – These are some of the traditional types of footwear worn with kimonos. They look a bit like modern sandals.

Types of Kimono

Furisode – This is the type of kimono worn by young unmarried women and girls. It is distinguishable by the long sleeves and in bright colors. Furisode is the typical kimono worn during the Japan Age Day (‘Seijin no Hi’).

Tomesode – A formal kimono that is worn by women who are married. It can be decorated in intricate crests and patterns, however these decorations are typically found below the waist. Mothers traditionally wear a black tomesode at their child’s wedding. There are also colorful tomesodes, which are sometimes worn by single women on special occasions. ·

Houmongi – literally meaning “to dress kimono”, a houmongi is a type of kimono suitable for any age and marital status. You can identify this kimono with the patterns that run over the shoulders and bottom. This type of kimono can be worn to attend wedding or tea ceremonies.

Yukata – the type of kimono most often seen in Japanese summer festivals. Yukata are made of thin material and suitable for both women and men. However, men’s yukatas are not as colorful as those worn by women.

Komon – Another type of casual kimono. A comone is usually decorated in a repeating pattern. The comone is perfect, everyday casual, as it was the common everyday dress in the days before western clothing became standard wear.

Iromuji – A solid color kimono worn by married and unmarried women. Iromuji can be in any color with the exception of white or black, however, they are in rather muted tones. They can also be decorated with crests – the more crests there are, the more formal the kimono is. This is a simple yet sophisticated kimono.

Over the course of history the kimono has had more or less fortunate periods, remaining, however, a latent reference in patient waiting for a gust of wind or style to bring it back on the catwalks and in our wardrobes. From Poiret to Yamamoto, from Galliano to Saint Laurent, from Thom Browne to J.W. Anderson, no designer has been able to ignore its charm by proposing it, each in its own way, even in recent seasons. Despite being very current and loved by stars like Florence Welch and Beyoncé, who, still pregnant with twins, wore a Gucci one to a basketball game, this pivotal piece of Japanese costume has a very ancient history.