The kanji for Daruma is 達磨, read だるま or daruma. In Japanese, Daruma can mean Bodhidharma, the figure traditionally connected with Zen Buddhism, and it can also mean the round Japanese Daruma doll modeled on him.
Daruma Kanji vs Chest Characters
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the kanji for Daruma? | 達磨. It is read da-ru-ma. |
| Does 達磨 literally mean the wish on the doll? | No. 達磨 is the word Daruma; the chest or side characters are usually separate wish words. |
| What is 福 on a Daruma? | 福 means good fortune or blessing, and is a common wish character. |
| What is the true meaning of the Daruma kanji? | As a word, 達磨 refers to Daruma/Bodhidharma and the Daruma doll tradition; the separate character meanings do not fully explain the doll. |
For Daruma kanji meaning, the short answer is that 達磨 is the kanji form used for Daruma. The word points back to Bodhidharma, while the doll meaning in everyday Japanese is tied to perseverance, luck, and goal commitment.
The safest short answer is this: 達磨 is a name connected with Bodhidharma, not a literal two-kanji word that simply means "perseverance." The Daruma doll symbolizes perseverance, resilience, and goals, but the word 達磨 itself points first to Daruma / Bodhidharma.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Daruma in kanji | 達磨 |
| Daruma in hiragana | だるま |
| How to read 達磨 | daruma |
| What Daruma means in Japanese | Bodhidharma; by extension, the Daruma doll |
| Does 達磨 literally mean perseverance? | No. Perseverance is the doll's symbolism, not the literal meaning of the word |
| Is 達磨 always written on the doll? | No. A doll may show wish words such as 福, 福入, 家内安全, or 商売繁盛 |
For pronunciation, hiragana, katakana, and everyday usage together, see Daruma in Japanese.
In This Article
- The short answer
- How to read 達磨
- What 達 and 磨 mean separately
- What 達磨 means as a word
- Daruma kanji vs writing on the doll
- Common mistakes
- Common questions
The Short Answer
If your question is "How do you write Daruma in kanji?", the answer is:
達磨
If your question is "How do you read it?", the answer is:
だるま / daruma
If your question is "What does Daruma mean in Japanese?", the answer depends on context. As a word, 達磨 refers to Daruma / Bodhidharma. In everyday culture, だるま or 達磨 can also refer to the round Daruma doll used as a symbol of good luck, perseverance, and goal-setting.
That distinction is important. The word names the figure and the doll. The doll then carries additional symbolism: getting back up, keeping a goal visible, and completing a wish.
How to Read 達磨
達磨 is read daruma. A simple speaking guide is da-ru-ma, with three clear parts.
You may see the word written three ways:
| Form | Japanese | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Kanji | 達磨 | Dictionary, historical, religious, or formal context |
| Hiragana | だるま | Everyday writing about the doll |
| Roman letters | daruma | English text or Japanese romanization |
Japanese does not require the doll's name to be written in kanji every time. In product names, casual explanations, and beginner-friendly writing, だるま is common.
What 達 and 磨 Mean Separately
The two characters have meanings on their own.
| Kanji | Common idea | Why it can be misleading alone |
|---|---|---|
| 達 | reaching, attaining, arriving | It does not by itself explain the Daruma doll |
| 磨 | polishing, grinding, refining, practicing | It can fit the feeling of self-cultivation, but it is not the full word meaning |
These separate meanings are useful to know, but they should not replace the actual word history. 達磨 is best understood as an established name connected with Bodhidharma.
Because Daruma dolls are associated with effort and goals, it is tempting to explain 達 + 磨 as "attain through polishing" or "reach by refining yourself." That may sound attractive, but it is not the safest explanation for the word. Treat it as character insight, not as the literal translation.
What 達磨 Means as a Word
In Japanese, 達磨 points back to Bodhidharma. The longer form 菩提達磨 makes that connection clearer. From that background, the word also came to refer to the Daruma doll: the rounded Japanese figure associated with wishes, resilience, and getting back up.
This background should be described carefully. Bodhidharma is an important figure in Buddhist and Zen tradition, and many famous stories around him are transmitted through legend. For SEO and for accuracy, the strongest explanation is simple: 達磨 is the Japanese name connected with Bodhidharma, and the Daruma doll is modeled on that figure.
You may also encounter the variant 達摩 in older or specialized contexts. For a modern article about the Daruma doll, 達磨 is the form to remember first.
For the larger origin story, use the guide to Daruma doll origin and Bodhidharma.
Daruma Kanji vs Writing on the Doll
達磨 is the kanji for the word Daruma, but it is not necessarily what is painted on the front of every Daruma doll.
Many Daruma dolls carry auspicious words or wish-related inscriptions instead. Common examples include 福, 福入, 家内安全, 商売繁盛, 大願成就, 目標達成, 必勝, and 合格祈願. Those phrases describe the wish or blessing connected with the doll.
This prevents a common confusion:
| Search question | Best page owner |
|---|---|
| What is Daruma in kanji? | This page: 達磨 |
| What does Daruma mean in Japanese? | This page: Daruma / Bodhidharma / Daruma doll |
| What is written on a Daruma doll? | The guide to Daruma kanji and wish words |
| What does 福入 mean? | The writing and wish words guide |
The name of the object and the words painted on the object are related, but they are not the same question.
Common Mistakes
One mistake is saying that 達磨 literally means perseverance. Perseverance is part of the doll's symbolism, but it is not the safest literal gloss for the word itself.
Another mistake is treating 達 + 磨 as the full dictionary meaning of the compound. The individual characters matter, but the word is best understood through Bodhidharma and the figure modeled on him.
A third mistake is assuming every Daruma doll must display 達磨 on the front. Real dolls may instead show words connected with good fortune, wishes, business success, safety, exams, or other intentions.
Common Questions
What is the kanji for Daruma?
The kanji for Daruma is 達磨. It is read だるま or daruma.
What does Daruma mean in Japanese?
Daruma means Bodhidharma in its older religious and historical sense. In everyday Japanese culture, it can also mean the Daruma doll modeled on him.
Do 達 and 磨 mean anything separately?
Yes. 達 can suggest reaching or attaining. 磨 can suggest polishing or refining. But 達磨 as a word should not be reduced to a literal combination of those meanings.
Is 達摩 the same as 達磨?
達摩 is a variant you may see in older or specialized contexts. For modern use around the Daruma doll, 達磨 is the form to remember first.
Is 達磨 written on every Daruma doll?
No. A Daruma doll may show other auspicious words or wish-related inscriptions. 達磨 is the kanji for the name, not necessarily the text painted on every doll.
Where to Go Next
Once you understand 達磨 as kanji, it becomes easier to place the doll within the larger Daruma story. For the full cultural background, read the complete Daruma guide.
If you want to connect the idea with a hands-on experience, the Daruma painting kit gives you a guided way to paint a blank Daruma at home. If you would rather choose a finished traditional piece, you can browse an authentic Daruma.