The Hometown of Takasaki Daruma
Crafting Wishes for Over Five Generations
Takasaki City in Gunma Prefecture produces approximately 80% of all daruma dolls in Japan, making it the undisputed capital of this beloved craft. The tradition began over 200 years ago when local farmers, inspired by the resilient spirit of Bodhidharma, began crafting these iconic dolls as talismans of perseverance.
Daimonya stands as one of the most distinguished daruma workshops in Takasaki. Our artisans produce over 70,000 daruma dolls annually, each one meticulously hand-painted with techniques passed down through generations. From the smallest 6cm charm to towering 80cm masterpieces, every daruma carries the weight of centuries of tradition.
The Japanese proverb “Nana korobi ya oki” — fall seven times, rise eight — is the very essence of the daruma. Originally cherished by silk farmers as a guardian deity of resilience, the daruma continues to inspire people around the world to pursue their dreams with unwavering determination.
Father and daughter, united by devotion to the craft
Master Artisan · Recipient of the Medal with Yellow Ribbon
Born and raised surrounded by daruma, Sumikazu Nakata followed his calling without hesitation. After graduating from university, he joined his father’s workshop and devoted his entire life to perfecting the art of daruma making. As Chairman of the Gunma Prefecture Traditional Craftsmen’s Association and former Director of the Gunma Daruma Manufacturing Cooperative, he has been a pillar of the industry for decades.
Of the 70,000 daruma produced at Daimonya each year, every single face — the most sacred part of the daruma — is painted by Sumikazu’s own hand. He believes that each brushstroke carries a prayer for the owner’s wish to come true. Captivated by a simple wooden mold from a century ago, he revived the “Hundred-Year Daruma,” faithfully recreating the techniques of the past. He also collaborated with Ishikawa Prefecture’s gold leaf artisans to create the Pure Gold Leaf Daruma, bridging two traditional crafts. Beyond the workshop, Sumikazu is passionate about education, regularly hosting school groups and leading hands-on classes to pass on the culture of daruma to the next generation.
“My mission as a Traditional Craftsman is to help as many people as possible discover and appreciate the beauty of Takasaki Daruma. I dream of the day when this neighborhood will be known as ‘Daruma Town.’”
Traditional Red Fuku-daruma
Hundred-Year Daruma
Hisshou Daruma
Traditional red Fuku-daruma — renowned for exquisite face painting and golden calligraphy.
President & CEO · Trilingual Artisan
The youngest of three sisters, Chihiro grew up playing in the family store, watching her father paint daruma faces late into the night. It wasn’t until her university thesis on the history of Takasaki Daruma that she discovered her true passion for the family craft. When she told her father she wanted to join the business, he set a condition: “Work elsewhere first, and come back only when you’ve reached the top in sales.” She took a position at a local jewelry store and achieved exactly that.
In 2013, Chihiro officially joined Daimonya and spent three years in rigorous apprenticeship under her father, learning every aspect of the craft from the ground up. She then turned her energy to international expansion, exhibiting in Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, London, and Paris — including a collaboration with UNIQLO’s flagship Marais store. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020 and sales dropped to zero, she turned crisis into opportunity by creating the “Amabie Daruma” — inspired by the legendary plague-repelling spirit. Despite her father’s initial resistance (“This is not a daruma!”), customer demand was overwhelming. The Amabie Daruma became a phenomenon, selling over 50,000 units. She also pioneered the industry’s first “Gradient Daruma,” inspired by international luxury design, bringing a fresh aesthetic to the 200-year-old tradition.
“I don’t break from tradition — I bend it. My goal is to ensure Daimonya thrives for the next 100 years by making daruma accessible to people who have never encountered this art form, while always honoring the traditional red daruma at its core.”
Sakura Daruma
Sakura Daruma · Yozakura
Hand-painted creation
The 5th generation’s Sakura Daruma has sold over 50,000 units; the Sakura Daruma Yozakura is an industry-first design.
Where tradition meets the artisan’s devotion
The face of a Takasaki Daruma tells a story of longevity and good fortune. The eyebrows are painted in the shape of cranes, while the mustache takes the form of turtles — both revered symbols of long life in Japanese culture. The belly bears golden characters of prosperity, and each side carries custom wishes for the owner.
Our artisans dedicate years to mastering the art of daruma painting. Every brushstroke is deliberate, every color choice intentional. The process begins with shaping the papier-mâché body, followed by multiple layers of lacquer, and culminates in the intricate face painting that gives each daruma its unique character.
Symbolizing longevity and grace, the crane-shaped eyebrows are painted with precision using fine calligraphy brushes.
Representing endurance and wisdom, the turtle motif in the mustache carries wishes for a long and prosperous life.
Characters of fortune and prosperity are inscribed in gold on the belly, blessing the owner with good luck.
Five unique ways to experience the art of daruma
Paint the iconic crane eyebrows and turtle mustache on your own daruma under the guidance of a professional artisan. Learn the history and meaning behind every brushstroke.
Press your handprint or your child’s tiny handprint onto a daruma doll as a precious keepsake. Perfect for families, couples, and friends to create a lasting memory together.
A special 90-minute educational program led by 4th generation master Sumikazu Nakata himself. Includes a workshop tour, history lecture, and hands-on painting experience. Over 100 schools from Japan and Taiwan have participated.
Enjoy the daruma painting experience at home with our complete kit. Includes two 12cm daruma dolls, a brush pen, practice sheets, and a multilingual instruction guide with QR code video tutorial (Japanese, English, Chinese).
5th generation artisan Chihiro Nakata brings the daruma experience directly to your venue. Available for corporate events, schools, and private gatherings. Also available online via Zoom.
The largest daruma specialty store in the industry
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The following dates are fully booked. Please choose a different date when making your reservation.
124-2 Fujizuka-machi, Takasaki-shi,
Gunma 370-0875, Japan
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Open year-round)
Open Year-Round
Free — 50 cars + 15 tour buses
Approx. 20 min by car from JR Takasaki Station.
Approx. 15 min from Maebashi IC (Kan-Etsu Expressway).
