Daruma was the first Zen Buddhist monk, and legend has it that he mediated so long that his legs fell off. In popular culture today, people buy Daruma Dolls with blank eyes. The idea is that you make a wish/set a goal, and color one eye in. That eye stares out at you as a reminder of your goal, and when accomplished, you color the other eye in. The shape is rounded and weighted to allow it to rock, yet maintain the upright position. An example in @bobfoto Jason's album: http://365project.org/bobfoto/365/2011-03-12
This Daruma is particularly special as it is an antique iron one that was acquired on a high school Japan Trip with @vankrey at our favorite antique shop shown in his album at: http://365project.org/vankrey/365/2013-06-27
Background all red lacquerware: water cooler, tea canister, serving trays
My get-pushed partner, Nia @sianipops , challenged me to depict Japan in a way that viewers would instantly recognize the image as representing Japan. I LOVE this challenge for many reasons -- trying to find images that are not cliche, but still representative to non-Japanese viewers! She challenged me to do this after reading about the Photograph Japan Trip that Michael @vankrey and I are organizing and posted in the discussion section: http://365project.org/discuss/general/19837/photo-trip-to-japan-join-us
Junko, your still life work this week is fantastic. You have such a good eye for balance and color. I liked the commentary to go with this one. Your photos this week are making me increasingly excited about the trip!!
I love his little squished face! You have made me so pleased in saying you enjoyed this challenge and you have risen to the challenge so well! Looking at Taffy and Michaels responses demonstrates how successful you were at portraying an image instantly recognizable as Japanese. Fav
