JAPAN: Japanese politicians and party supporters purchase lucky 'daruma dolls' ahead of December election as the race continues to build momentum with only 16 days left before voting polls open
Record ID:
466762
JAPAN: Japanese politicians and party supporters purchase lucky 'daruma dolls' ahead of December election as the race continues to build momentum with only 16 days left before voting polls open
- Title: JAPAN: Japanese politicians and party supporters purchase lucky 'daruma dolls' ahead of December election as the race continues to build momentum with only 16 days left before voting polls open
- Date: 30th November 2012
- Summary: TAKASAKI CITY, GUNMA PREFECTURE, JAPAN (NOVEMBER 29, 2012) (REUTERS) SIGN IN JAPANESE READING "DAIMON SHOP: DARUMA HOMETOWN" SIGN ON DOOR IN JAPANESE READING "THE GOOD LUCK CONTINUES" MAN PAINTING EYEBROWS ONTO DARUMA DOLL FACE LUCKY DARUMA DOLL DAIMON SHOP OWNER SUMIKAZU NAKATA SITTING IN WORKSHOP PAINTING FINAL DETAILS ON DOLLS' FACES CALLIGRAPHY PAINT BRUSH TRACING STROKES OF BLANK INK ONTO DARUMA DOLL FACE NAKATA VARIOUS OF NAKATA EXAMINING FACE OF DARUMA DOLL VARIOUS OF COMPLETED DARUMA DOLLS LINED UP READY FOR SALE AND DELIVERY (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) DAIMON DARUMA DOLL SHOP OWNER SUMIKAZU NAKATA SAYING: "We have a special custom for the Takasaki daruma doll with regards to the eyes. To fill one eye is to make the wish and to have both eyes filled is when the wish is made a reality." COMPLETED DARUMA DOLLS LINED UP ON WORKSHOP FLOOR NAKATA PICKING UP DARUMA DOLL TO PAINT WHISKERS BEING PAINTED ONTO DARUMA DOLL FACE NAKATA PAINTING DARUMA DOLL FACE DETAILS MORE OF WHISKERS BEING PAINTED ONTO DARUMA DOLL FACE MORE OF NAKATA EXAMINING FACE OF DARUMA DOLL LINE OF INCOMPLETE GOLD DARUMA DOLLS (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) DAIMON DARUMA DOLL SHOP OWNER SUMIKAZU NAKATA SAYING: "This year we have a sudden election for the House of Representatives. Even more than our usual year-end rush we are even more overwhelmed this year because of this." JAPANESE CHARACTER MEANING "VICTORY" PAINTED ONTO BOTTOM RIGHT OF DARUMA DOLL NAKATA SEATED FOR INTERVIEW (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) DAIMON DARUMA DOLL SHOP OWNER SUMIKAZU NAKATA SAYING: "Well, when we have an election we have this special daruma doll that brings good omens to win elections. We receive more orders then usual from those looking for a little something extra to bring good luck." JAPANESE GOLD LETTERS ON DARUMA DOLL READING "PRAYING ALL TOGETHER FOR AN ELECTION VICTORY" NAKATA AND SPECIAL ORDER FOR ELECTION DARUMA DOLL MORE OF COMPLETED DARUMA DOLLS LINED UP ON WORKSHOP FLOOR (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) DAIMON DARUMA DOLL SHOP OWNER SUMIKAZU NAKATA SAYING: "We take no responsibility for the losers, we are only making 'winning' daruma dolls here." VARIOUS OF NAKATA DRAWING EYEBROWS ONTO DARUMA DOLL FACE WITH TRADITIONAL JAPANESE CALLIGRAPHY BRUSHES JAPANESE CHARACTERS ON DARUMA READING "BE VICTORIOUS!"
- Embargoed: 15th December 2012 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Japan
- Country: Japan
- Topics: Quirky,Politics,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
- Reuters ID: LVA78M3THDUZ8X45NOXYUQ1LRGPC
- Story Text: Japanese politicians are getting geared up for the December 16 elections as debates and campaigning increase, but for many it's a man in Gunma and his 'lucky daruma dolls' that may be their 'secret weapon' on election day.
Sumikazu Nakata, owner of the Daimon store in Gunma prefecture, north west of Tokyo, specialises in Japanese traditional daruma dolls that are believed to be bring good luck.
With more than 40 years as a artisan of the chubby red figure Nakata told Reuters that he had seen an increase in sales with the announcement of a snap election in two weeks.
Clients, which include new politicians and campaign supporters for established ones, have been rushing their orders into the cozy 10-employee workshop in Takasaki city.
Daruma dolls represent the Indian priest Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism in China.
At election time candidates paint one eye on the doll when they start their campaign and paint the other eye if they win the election.
"We have a special custom for the Takasaki daruma doll with regards to the eyes. To fill one eye is to make the wish and to have both eyes filled is when the wish is made a reality," Nakata said.
The Daimon daruma shop has presented the dolls to victorious Japanese politicians as well as overseas leaders such as former President George W. Bush and the late British royal, Princess Diana.
"This year we have a sudden election for the House of Representatives. Even more than our usual year-end rush we are even more overwhelmed this year because of this," Nakata told Reuters.
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda dissolved parliament's lower house in November and the election is set for next month with former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe front-runner to succeed him.
The dolls can be made to order with wishes written around the face and on the body to bring good fortune.
"Well, when we have an election we have this special daruma doll that brings good omens to win elections. We receive more orders then usual from those looking for a little something extra to bring good luck," Nakata said.
On the body of the daruma doll "Be Victorious!" is painted in bold with messages of "Wishing for dreams to come true" and "Praying all together for an election victory", framing the face of the daruma doll.
Nakata says he believes wholeheartedly in his product.
"We take no responsibility for the losers, we are only making 'winning' daruma dolls here," he laughed.
The election is due to take place on December 16th. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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