Daruma (達磨) Dolls are considered by Japanese to be a good luck talisman, and are traditionally round, red, and depict a bearded man, a Buddhist monk named Bodhidharma (Daruma in Japanese). Typically, Daruma dolls come with both eyes blank, you would make a goal or wish, paint in the left eye, and then when the wish or goal is fulfilled, paint in the other eye.
At Yuurin-an, you can express your own artistic talents and paint your very own Daruma Doll. The Tamashima area in Kurashiki is one of only two Daruma Doll production areas in Japan, and the only one in Western Japan. Yuurin-an hopes to spread the culture of Daruma Dolls throughout Japan with this modern and fun workshop experience. All the equipment is provided, and the experience takes around 45 to 90 minutes.
Another activity you can try out is Hinoki Chopstick Carving. Everyone has used chopsticks, but how many have made a pair for themselves? Using hinoki (檜, Japanese Cypress) wood from Nishi-awakura (西粟倉) village in the northern part of Okayama Prefecture, you will sand down the chopsticks into your desired shape and thinness before painting them! Again, all the equipment is provided and it takes around 30 to 90 minutes.
We recommend trying out at least one of these experiences, as it’s one of the easiest places for a workshop in Japan, and there are also English speaking staff to help you out with the language barrier. There’s no better way to make a memory, than by experiencing something yourself!
