Daruma dolls are a tradition in Japan having to do with casting a wish, setting a goal, or pursuing a dream. It's been about 6 months since I started The Cardboard Collective and it's taken me that long to straighten out a few ideas in my head about where I want to go with my cardboard passions. With that in mind, I purchased a Daruma doll at Jindiaji's festival this year, filled in the pupil of his right eye, inscribed my goal on the bottom of the doll, and put him on the bookshelf in our living room (as did Electra). (When I hopefully achieve my goal, it is tradition to return the Daruma to the temple where it was purchased for ceremonial burning.)
After spending a few days sitting around the living room I realized that having a Daruma doll in your house is a bit like planting your Kabuki-makeup-wearing kick-boxing coach in the corner with an eternal (one-eyed) look that says "Get out there Tiger." You can almost hear the throaty Clint Eastwood like growl seeping out. "Wow," is all I can say. It's really kept me on top of my game!
One last note about Darumas; (you can learn more about their history and how they are made here) guess what they're made out of? ... Recycled Cardboard.