Figure Bodhidharma (Daruma) Figure with Worried Expression Made of Bizen Ware

With raised brows and an almost worried, upward-directed gaze, this Bizen ware figure depicts the Zen patriarch Bodhidharma in an unusually human, almost vulnerable expression. The deeply incised eyes and the pursed mouth make the figure appear pensive and introspective. The unglazed, reddish-brown surface is typical of the Bizen firing technique, in which fire, wood ash, and clay alone determine the coloration in the traditional kiln – entirely without the use of glazes. The hood-like garment drawn over the head frames the face and further directs the gaze to the striking expression. As the founder of Zen Buddhism and a symbol of perseverance, Daruma is one of the most popular motifs in Japanese ceramics. This variant, with its unusually approachable, almost human expression, offers collectors a touching contrast to the otherwise often sterner depictions.