Photoessay #1041 - Tojiin Temple - Daruma

Traveling to Japan and reflecting on our experiences just demonstrates how complex and rich Japanese culture is. Always more layers, surprises and mystery.

I mentioned that our guide took us to Tojiin Temple on a rainy afternoon to escape the crowds. This temple was established in the 14th century, known for its gardens. As we walk around and I see this large picture prominently displayed in a breezeway.

Now, this to me looks completely out of place, didn't look like ANY of the devotional art I had seen in Japanese Buddhist temples or Shinto shrines. Especially not in an ancient venerable temple belonging to a prominent family. The style, while distinctive, looks contemporary, even informal. The line drawing with the flat color fields, the emotional exaggerated almost grotesque visage. The figure doesn't even look Japanese. Where did this come from?

But the visitors all nod when they see this. "Ah, Daruma. Important monk" Often featured in Buddhist temples. Born in India, from the 5th century, he's credited with bringing Buddhism and particularly Zen Buddhism to Japan. Bringing the focus from doctrinal and procedural practices to emphasis on self awareness.

According to a site about zen art--

In Zen art, the master does not paint Daruma as an historical figure (or even a saint) but as a symbol of penetrating insight, self-reliance, ceaseless diligence, and the rejection of all externals. In order to bring the image of Daruma to life with brush and ink, the artist must become Daruma. Thus, a Daruma painting is a spiritual self-portrait, based on the individual experience of each Zen master.

Many legends and stories about Daruma demonstrating his diligence and commitment to meditation as a means towards enlightenment.

I don't know the provenance of this Daruma picture. Ancient or contemporary. Seems well known but I just don't know about periods of zen art. Probably the staff at the temple know, it could even be in the short brochure I have. All in Japanese, of course.

Edit: To give you an idea of the scale, the bulge at the right is the back of somebody carrying a knapsack