PM Modi Receives Auspicious Daruma Doll in Japan Visit

During his official visit to Japan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was presented with a Daruma doll on August 29, 2025, by Rev Seishi Hirose, Chief Priest of the Shorinzan Daruma-Ji Temple in Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture. This cultural exchange, though symbolic, reflects the deep civilizational and spiritual connections that bind India and Japan through centuries of shared heritage.

The Daruma Doll: A Symbol of Resilience and Good Fortune

The Daruma doll, cherished in Japanese culture, is regarded as an auspicious talisman of good luck and perseverance. Traditionally red and modeled after Bodhidharma (Daruma Daishi), the founder of Zen Buddhism in Japan, the doll symbolizes goal-setting, patience, and success through adversity.

The recipient colors in one eye upon setting a goal, and fills in the second eye once the goal is achieved—turning the Daruma into a personal marker of commitment and resilience.

Bodhidharma: A Shared Spiritual Legacy

The Daruma tradition traces its roots to Bodhidharma, a revered Indian monk from Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu. He is believed to have traveled to China and Japan over a thousand years ago, spreading Zen Buddhist philosophy. In Japan, he is honored as Daruma Daishi, and his teachings laid the spiritual foundation of what evolved into Zen practices in East Asia.

This deep historical link is commemorated at the Shorinzan Daruma-Ji Temple in Takasaki, the cultural heart of Daruma worship. The presentation of the Daruma doll to PM Modi signifies recognition of this shared history, which continues to shape India-Japan cultural diplomacy.

Significance in Bilateral Ties

This gesture from Rev Seishi Hirose symbolizes,

• Cultural reverence for shared philosophical roots
• A renewal of historical bonds that predate modern diplomatic relations
• Reinforcement of India-Japan spiritual kinship during the 15th Annual India-Japan Summit

The exchange aligns with both nations’ commitment to enhancing people-to-people connections, seen in initiatives like cultural MoUs, tourism exchanges, and educational collaborations.