Mickey Mouse Daruma

One thing that takes visitors to Japan by surprise is how confident the Japanese feel about their culture: they can take even its most traditional aspects and give them a modern (and very often a Western spin) so extreme that it can astonish many non-Japanese people. Take the Mickey Mouse Daruma, for example: at first, it looks like a Disney Mickey Mouse in red but if you're familiar with Japanese culture, you'll know there's much more to this red round doll!

A Daruma is a Japanese folk doll, usually made of red papier-mâché and considered a symbol of good fortune and of resiliency against life's difficulties. Its face is usually a grumpy old man who is supposed to be the founder of Zen Buddhism, Bodhidharma (Daruma in Japanese), and the doll sometimes also has the character for "good fortune" on its belly. This beautifully made 69 x 56 x 71 mm (2.7 x 2.2 x 2.8") dogwood Daruma is a special Mickey version, with a face featuring the world's most famous mouse!

Specs and Features:

• Licensed Disney item
• Features the character for "good fortune"
• Made by famous Gunma Prefecture doll maker Usaburo Kokeshi
• Dimensions: 69 x 56 x 71 mm (2.7 x 2.2 x 2.8")
• Weight: 100 g (3.5 oz)
• Material: dogwood
• Made in Japan