Figure Bodhidharma (Daruma) Figure Made of Red Kutani Porcelain

Rendered in a bold red, this Kutani porcelain figure depicts the Zen patriarch Bodhidharma with wide-open, alert eyes and a hood drawn over his head. Bodhidharma, also known as Bodai-Daruma, is regarded as the first patriarch of Zen, or Chan, Buddhism, which he is said to have brought from India to China toward the end of the 5th century. Unlike the more earth-toned Bizen ware, Kutani porcelain is distinguished by its luminous glaze and bold coloring – here, the rich red further intensifies the striking presence of the figure. Fine details such as the folded hands and the folds of the robe are modeled with a confident hand and carefully glazed. As a symbol of perseverance, meditation, and the origins of Zen Buddhism, Daruma is among the most frequently depicted figures in Japanese art. For collectors of colorful Kutani ware or Buddhist motifs, this figure is an expressive and visually striking choice.