Hello! This is Gunma prefecture's newsletter on tourism, Eyes … Origin … G'-now December. We feature the indispensable item for The origin of -Daruma is traced back When purchased, the eyes are left without 高崎だるま to more than 200 years ago, after the severe Gunma's New Year, Takasaki-Daruma( )! iris. When you purchased one, draw an iris famine of Tenmei in Edo era. It is said that on the one eye making a wish. The iris on There are various ways of celebration of the New Year in the abbot of Darumaji Temple led farmers the another eye will be drawn when the Gunma: Some of ski grounds are planning to have the nearby make Daruma as side job and sell at wish is made or the year was safe and sound. countdown events on the New Year's Eve. Climbing the the Nanakusa-Taisai, the annual festival of This custom is originated from silk-raising 初日の出 the temple. mountain to see Hatsu Hinode ( , the sunrise on farmers who used to draw the iris on the Nanakusa-Taisai Daruma-ichi New Year's Day) is another availability. However, here is the right eye to share the good luck on good (Takasaki-shi) standard. molting of silkworms. And they celebrated Hatsumoude （初詣） is one of Japanese customs. By visiting the produce of good cocoons by drawing the iris on another eye. Eyebrow and Mustache … temple or shrine on the New Year's day, people make a wish Takasaki-Daruma has more dynamic eyebrow for the year. and mustache compared with other Daruma Omikuji ( おみくじ , a fortune slip) and Ema ( 絵馬絵馬絵馬 , a votive dolls. They symbolizes the crane (eyebrow) horse tablet) could be the major charms for the New Year and tortoise (mustache) to pray for the long across , but Daruma doll is another charm which life of the purchaser. shouldn't be omitted. Though there are temples and shrines that sell Daruma from the New Year's day, Daruma-ichi or Hatsuichi would be the good chance for you to visit. They will be held across the prefecture starting from Darumaji Temple What is in Takasaki. You can choose your favorite one from bunch of Daruma dolls with various sizes and colors. At some Daruma- Takasaki Daruma ? Hatsuichi ichi/Hatsuichi, other charms are also lined up and events (Isesaki-shi) such as parade will be shown. Nowadays, unique Daruma dolls are also designed. One of them is Eto-Daruma (干支だるま ), a Daruma doll painted in the shape of the twelve signs of Chienese zodiac. For 2012 is the Year of the Dragon, Tatsu-Daruma (辰だるま ) is designed.

Message … Hatsuichi On the both side of the face, (Maebashi-shi) messages of prayer, such as 家内 安全 (Kanai-Anzen , peace and Numata Daruma-ichi sound of the household) and 商売 (Numata-shi) Body … 繁盛 (Shoubai-Hanjou , prosperity The body of Takasaki-Daruma at present is round and easy to right of the business), are written with itself when knocked over*. At the begging, the shape was imitated gold color. Right: Tatsu-Daruma the Daruma monk sitting cross-legged. Later on, the shape of At the center of its body, the word Left: Orchestra-Daruma , modeled by Gunma Symphony vertically long imitated the cocoon was preferred among silk- of 福(good luck) are usually written. Orchestra raising farmers. Then the shape has changed into round and The name of the company or became popular also among ordinary households. individuals are also able to be Daruma is made by papier-mâché and the color is basically red written as you order! (other colors are also available). The various size is lined up. It is said that the Daruma for the next year should be bigger than the present year wishing for more prosperity and success. December 2011, Pref. Gunma * It has a share of luck from the proverb of 'Nanakorobi-Yaoki As this is the last issue for 2011, we would like to send you our (always rising after a fall)'. warmest wishes for a happy holiday and a prosperous New Year 2012! [email protected] Where Daruma Goes… Numata Daruma-ichi @Honmachi Street, Numata-shi Do you wonder that 'the household which buy a Daruma every year Date: 2012.1.16 would build a pile of Daruma in the house'? The answer is No. Access: From Numata IC Aprx. 10 min. (Car) Daruma which completed its task for one year will be brought to From Numata Sta. (Joetsu-Line) temples/shrines or be burned with other New Year decoration items Aprx. 15 min. (Walk) From Numata Sta. Aprx. 5 min. (Bus) at the event called Dondo-Yaki . Also, the ritual of Otakiage , the memorial service of Daruma will be held at some Hatsuichi.

Dondo-Yaki (Shibukawa-shi) Daruma brought to Darumaji Shibukawa Hatsuichi (Takasaki-shi) @Shinmachi, Shibukawa-shi Date: 2012.1.12 Access: From Shibukawa-Ikaho IC Aprx. 5 min. (Car) From Shibukawa Sta. (Joetsu Line) Aprx. 15 min. (Walk)

Isesaki Hatsuichi @Honmachi, Isesaki-shi Date: 2012.1.11 Access: From Isesaki IC Aprx. 5 min. (Car) Nanakusa-Taisai Daruma-ichi From Isesaki Sta. @Shorinzan Darumaji Temple (Ryomo-/Tobu-Isesaki Line) Date: 2012.1.6-7 Aprx. 15 min. (Walk) Access: From Takasaki IC Aprx. 30 min. (Car) From Gunma-Yawata Sta. (Shin-Etsu Line) Aprx. 20 min. (Walk) From Takasaki Sta. Aprx. 30 min. (Bus) URL: http://www.daruma.or.jp/eng/index.html

Gunma's Gourmet of this month is yakimanju , the taste of Joshu Maebashi Hatsuichi (Gunma). @Honmachi, Maebashi-shi It is the steamed plain manju (without red bean paste) stuck with Date: 2012.1.9 Access: bamboo skewer and grilled with charcoal fire. To spread over miso- From Takasaki IC Aprx. 30 min. (Car) sauce that tastes sweet and salty while grilling is important as the From Maebashi Sta. (Joetsu Line) good smell stimulates the appetite. Aprx. 10 min. (Walk) From Maebashi Sta. Aprx. 5 min. (Bus) It can be tasted at yakimanju shops in Gunma and food stalls at festivals. You can try with your family or friends as one skewer has 4

For those who are interested in the piece of yakimanju (you can have one skewer of course!) process of Daruma-making, there is a place On the same day with Isesaki Hatsuichi, Joshu-Yakiman-Sai will be to visit the factory and experience the drawing! held at Isesaki Shrine. Yakimanju with more than 50cm across per piece is grilled and dedicated to the shrine. Afterwards the yakimanju Daimonya （（（Japanese ））） http://homepage2.nifty.com/daimonya/ will be shared to the audience. Gunma-chan, Mascot Character of You got to try this delicious local food! Gunma Prefecture GunmaGunma AccessAccess GuideGuide MapMap