World Cup darumas
Daruma doll artisan Chihiro Nakata is shown in this EPA photo with a World Cup 2006 Germany doll at her studio in Takasaki, Japan the other day. Her company has received more than 1,000 requests for World Cup daruma dolls in preparation for the games, which begin on (drum roll) June 9. As everyone in the civilized world knows by now, it is a cool Japanese tradition to paint a black pupil in the left eye of the daruma after making a wish. Once the wish has been fulfilled, the other eye is painted. Politicians love this tradiition, too. [Note: A symbol of good luck and protection in Japan, the large daruma dolls are being sent to Germany to support the Japanese national team in the World Cup.]
PS: For the grammarians out there, should daruma in the plural sense be spelled with an S, as in “three darumas” or should it be “three daruma”?
(credit: EPA photos)
I didn’t know THAT!!!(Send link later Danny)
“This became the origin of the roly-poly Daruma dolls which are so ubiquitous in Japanese culture. Originally they were purchased to ward off diseases such as smallpox, but in time they were metaphorically identified with other aspects of society — in particular with prostitutes. In fact, the term ‘daruma’ became a euphemism for a prostitute based on the principal that like the doll no matter how many times you knocked them down they always came right back up.”
And going to the ‘Cup too?? - (don’t forget to pack your “gumi-shutz” Lads!)
This is the motherlode of stunning puns!!.
May 31st, 2006 at 2:46 pmdrum roll indeed! good research me lad!
May 31st, 2006 at 2:48 pmDanny:One link (one third down page)
http://www.printsofjapan.com/Yoshiiku_tanukis_page_2.htm
P.S.: How about packing off a reserve team of Tanuki’s too ?? (The boys might need some help.)
May 31st, 2006 at 2:52 pmWould be tanuki or tanukis? Add the S or not? But yes, good idea! Tanukis to the front!
May 31st, 2006 at 3:01 pmConversely,if you left off the ‘S’ maybe you could add an extra ‘i’- “Tanukii” - (so).That sounds a bit pompous I suggest, but well worth investigating.(God!! this new-fangled internet thing is wonderful).
May 31st, 2006 at 3:14 pmShort of some “industrial strength” Japlish?(JP) then look no further than this little treasure trove - truly inspirational!! - witty/scary..it’s all there.
Excerpt:
“These DARUMAS in this page, will kick? and terminate !! the evil spirits
are possessed with your life which block of all of your success.
Also, let your wish comes true by so strong auspicious power!!
On the other side of same coin, they are include
Japanese culture, spirits, history, …
How about as a special present for someone special to you.
If get these ones, same meanings of you can get,”
Link:
http://www.darumanetjapan.com/english/index.htm
‘Cup-wise we definatly need those “kicking and terminating” variety.(Gooal!!Gooal!!Foul!!Foul!!)
June 1st, 2006 at 3:08 pmWorld Cup Sex
June 1st, 2006 at 3:19 pm