Antique Japanese Hooded Daruma Figure – Black Lacquered Clay Buddhist Sculpture – Meiji Period (Attributed)

Item: Antique Clay Buddhist Sculpture of Bodhi Dharma
Artist: Unknown Japanese maker
Title: Hooded Daruma Figure
Medium: Hand-formed clay with black painted or lacquered surface
Edition: Unique original
Year: Meiji period (late 19th century, attributed)
Height: Approximately 25–30 cm

Condition: Good antique condition with age-appropriate wear, losses to the black surface finish, scattered chips, and an attractive naturally aged patina. Impressed maker's seal (hanko) on the underside.

Notes:
This Daruma immediately stood out for its remarkable presence. Rather than the cheerful, rounded Daruma figures most people know today, this example has an unusually introspective expression. The heavy hooded robe, deeply modeled face, and broad sculptural form give it a quiet authority that becomes more apparent the longer you spend with it.

Daruma represents Bodhidharma, the monk traditionally credited with bringing Zen Buddhism to China, and in Japan has long been associated with perseverance and determination. Here, however, the emphasis feels less symbolic than personal. The sculptor seems more interested in capturing the character of a weathered old monk than creating a good-luck charm.

The worn black surface has mellowed beautifully with age, revealing warm clay beneath where generations of handling have softened the finish. Combined with the impressed workshop seal on the base and the confident hand-modeling throughout, the figure has the honesty and individuality that first attracted me to it. It is equally satisfying viewed as a Zen object, a piece of Japanese folk sculpture, or simply as a quietly expressive work of art.

Keywords: Daruma, Bodhidharma, Japanese folk sculpture, antique Daruma, Zen Buddhism, Japanese clay sculpture, Meiji period, Japanese antiques, Buddhist art, mingei, wabi-sabi, folk ceramic, Sosaku Collection