Shirakawa Daruma are papier-mâché (hariko) daruma dolls made in Shirakawa City, Fukushima Prefecture, known for their distinctive design in which the eyebrows are painted to resemble a crane and the mustache a turtle, with pine and plum branches on either side of the face and bamboo beneath the mouth — earning them the nickname 'Shirakawa Crane-Turtle-Pine-Bamboo-Plum Daruma.' Daruma making in Shirakawa is said to have already been underway in the early Edo period, but it was in 1783, after the Tenmei famine had devastated the region's industries, that Matsudaira Sadanobu, who became lord of the Shirakawa domain, had his court painter Tani Bunchō design a daruma to help revive local industry, giving rise to the form that survives today. Every year on February 11 (National Foundation Day), the 'Shirakawa Daruma Market' is held in central Shirakawa City, drawing roughly 150,000 visitors and standing as a signature winter tradition of Shirakawa.
Origin
Daruma making in Shirakawa is recorded as already taking place in the early Edo period, when daruma were sold at daruma markets during the time the Niwa clan ruled the domain. Later, after the Tenmei famine of 1783 devastated local industries, Matsudaira Sadanobu, who became lord of the Shirakawa domain, encouraged daruma making as part of an industrial revival policy and had his court painter Tani Bunchō design the doll, giving rise to the form of Shirakawa Daruma that continues today.
History
The design attributed to Tani Bunchō — eyebrows shaped like a crane, a mustache shaped like a turtle, pine and plum on either side of the face, and bamboo beneath the mouth — became known as the 'Crane-Turtle-Pine-Bamboo-Plum Daruma' and has been passed down as a lucky charm unique to Shirakawa. Since then, local artisans have continued the papier-mâché technique as a family trade, and today the tradition is carried on chiefly by two workshops in Yokomachi, Shirakawa City: Sagawa Daruma Seizosho and Shirakawa Daruma Sohonpo.
Features
The defining feature of Shirakawa Daruma is the 'Crane-Turtle-Pine-Bamboo-Plum' design, in which the eyebrows resemble a crane, the mustache a turtle, and pine, plum, and bamboo motifs are painted around the face. Made using the hariko technique of layering washi paper over a wooden mold, the dolls have a rounded, endearing shape and a lively face decorated with auspicious plants and animals that set them apart from daruma made in other regions. At the Shirakawa Daruma Market held every February 11, uniquely hand-painted 'art daruma' are also put on display.
Techniques
Hariko (papier-mâché technique)
A technique in which washi paper is pasted in many layers over a wooden mold, dried, and then removed from the mold to form the body. It produces a light yet sturdy finish and is the basis of the rounded shape characteristic of Shirakawa Daruma.
Materials Used
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Artisans & Workshops
佐川だるま製造所
A workshop in Yokomachi, Shirakawa City, engaged in the manufacture and wholesale of daruma. It also offers a hands-on painting experience and continues to pass on the traditional Crane-Turtle-Pine-Bamboo-Plum design.
Official site →白河だるま総本舗
A long-established daruma workshop in Yokomachi, Shirakawa City. In 2021 it opened Daruma Land, an experience-based theme park where visitors can watch the papier-mâché process, try a hands-on painting experience, and browse a range of distinctively designed daruma for sale.
Official site →How to Buy
- 佐川だるま製造所
- Located at 81 Yokomachi, Shirakawa City. As a daruma manufacturer and wholesaler, it sells directly to customers and also offers a hands-on painting experience (reservation required).Where to buy →PR
- だるまランド（白河だるま総本舗）
- An experience-based theme park with a workshop area, exhibition space, and hands-on sales area, where a range of uniquely designed original daruma can also be purchased.Where to buy →PR
Hands-on Experiences
佐川だるま製造所
福島県白河市横町81
Advance contact required. The painting experience costs roughly 400 to 1,000 yen depending on size (11 to 16 cm), with all tools provided and the finished daruma available to take home.
View details →FAQ
Q. What is the 'Crane-Turtle-Pine-Bamboo-Plum' design of Shirakawa Daruma?
A. It is a distinctive design in which the eyebrows resemble a crane and the mustache a turtle, with pine and plum painted on either side of the face and bamboo beneath the mouth. It is said to have begun with a design commissioned by Shirakawa domain lord Matsudaira Sadanobu and painted by the artist Tani Bunchō.
Q. When is the Shirakawa Daruma Market held?
A. It is held every year on February 11 (National Foundation Day) in central Shirakawa City, and typically draws around 150,000 visitors, making it a signature feature of Shirakawa's winter season.