ice festival (kyoka)

Ice Festival –
clutching a hot chocolate
for its warmth –
but what a dilemma –
you can’t have heat and drink it too

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Linked to Carpe Diem #644: First Market.

Our host Chèvrefeuille explains that there were several Markets in classical Japan – including the First Market, the Summer Market, and the Last Year Market.  During the First Market, Daruma Dolls are purchased. 

A “Daruma Doll” is a round, hollow doll modeled after Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism.    The Daruma is a “roly-poly” style toy – okiagari (“get up and arise”) – and this symbolizes perseverance, success, and recovering from misfortune.  The red color probably refers to a high-ranking priest’s robes.  The eyes are blank when purchased.   When a person sets a goal they fill in one eye.  They fill in the other eye when they accomplish their goal.  The eyebrows are shaped like a crane; the cheek hair resembles a tortoise (long life).  At year’s end, all the Daruma are brought back to the temple and burned; then a new Daruma is purchased.

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Daruma Dolls. Carpe Diem.

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The dolls were first made during the Edo Period when Mt. Asama erupted.  There was a great famine afterwards.   The head priest of the Shorin-zan temple suggested that the papier-mâché dolls be made and sold as good luck tokens to help ease their burdens.  The first Daruma were realistic, but they became more stylized over time.

The Takasaki Daruma Market is the oldest and largest Daruma Market.  It is held January 6^th and 7^th.  On the seventh a special rice gruel with seven vegetables is served (and on this day only). 

This all made me think of the Ice Festival which will be held in my home town before too long (usually February).  During this time the local businesses sponsor ice sculptures which are displayed on Main Street.  So many wonderful ice sculptures … gorgeous!  Lots of kettle corn and chicken corn soup, too.  And hot chocolate.  Oh, that hot chocolate! 

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Dude in cowboy hat selling kettle corn. Looks warm!

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A random sign from the day which MUST be read in John Inman’s voice.

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