Nowhere is as associated with daruma as Takasaki in Gunma, not far from Tokyo. Takasaki is daruma country, and their form recurs in the local culture.

Within Takasaki, Daimonya is one of the most established daruma houses. Led by nationally recognised traditional craftsperson Sumikazu Nakata, he paints the face of each daruma himself. His brush applies the whiskered face design tens of thousands times a year.

Those with a eye for a good daruma, can recognise the bold, confident lines of Nakata’s paint work, and overall can see that Daimonya create a superior daruma.