A Daruma Kendama that is both playing object and lucky charm. Kijidokoro Sato, rooted in the Yajiro region since the Meiji era, brings two craft traditions together in a single object.
The ken – the heart of the kendama – is shaped as a Kokeshi body in the Yajiro style: rich red, black Rokuro-Moyo lines, conical and precisely turned. The base cup carries an additional Daruma motif – a quiet repetition of the theme that runs through the entire piece. The two sakazuki are left natural: pale wood as a deliberate contrast to the luminous red.
The tama – the ball – shows a fully painted Daruma face. Dominant red, strong black eyebrows, a bushy moustache and flushed cheeks. At the centre is the character 福 – fuku, good fortune – in gold. The gaze is weighty and focused. No smile. Only composure.
In Japanese culture, Daruma symbolises perseverance, willpower and the ability to rise again after every fall – qualities that also define kendama play. The kendama falls. The Daruma stands up again.
The kendama fully conforms to the Competition Size established by the Japan Kendama Association (JKA). This makes it suitable not only as a collector’s piece, but also for advanced players who value professional proportions and balance.
Special features
Daruma Kendama in the Yajiro tradition
Ken as a Kokeshi body: red Rokuro-Moyo turning, Daruma motif on the base cup
Tama as a Daruma head: 福 character in gold, Yajiro painting
Natural sakazuki – Mizuki wood with visible grain
Competition Size according to JKA standards
Hand-turned and hand-painted – by Kijidokoro Sato, Miyagi
Signed by the artist
Dimensions
Ken height
160 mm
Tama diameter
60 mm
Sarado width
70 mm
Big cup inner diameter
40 mm
Small cup inner diameter
36 mm
Base cup inner diameter
34 mm
Please note
This product is not a toy and should be kept out of the reach of children.
