Shorinzan Daruma Temple

This old temple is famous as the birthplace of the “lucky Daruma” dolls that have become a Takasaki specialty, inheriting the teachings of Daruma Daishi.

Every year on January 6 and 7, the “Nanakusa Daisai Daruma Market” is held, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors, and on October 5, the “Daruma Festival” is held.

The temple became known in 1680 when an ascetic named Ichiryojuji carved a seated statue of Daruma Daishi and enshrined it in a hall after a great flood, as the fragrant old tree was shining in the river. Since then, the temple has been called Shorinzan (Mt. Shorin) as the sacred place of Daruma Daishi.

In order to help the villagers who were in need due to the Great Famine of Tenmei (1783-1787), the ninth generation Zen master Tōtake carved a wooden model of the image of Daruma with a stroke of the founder, Zen master Shinetsu, on it to teach farmers how to make papier-mache Daruma dolls as a side job.

It was then housed in the main hall of the temple, which became a place where Daruma dolls were enshrined throughout the year, and is said to be the origin of the Daruma Market.

The temple is home to the “Senshin-tei” where world-renowned architect and craftsman Bruno Taut spent two years, and is also known as the setting for “The German in Daruma Temple,” a screenplay adaptation by Akira Kurosawa.

Daruma-do,” where Daruma dolls collected from all over Japan are displayed, is another highlight of the temple.

The autumn foliage is especially beautiful here, and visitors to Shorinzan Daruma-dera Temple can enjoy the beautiful sight of the red daruma dolls and the autumn leaves in harmony.