A large wooden figure of the revered Buddhist monk Bodhidharma 菩提達磨, commonly known as Daruma 達磨 (482–539), the legendary founder of Zen Buddhism. The sculpture is painted in vivid pigments of orange and brown. Daruma is depicted seated in dhyanasana (meditation posture) on a black lacquered throne, his legs tucked beneath the folds of his voluminous red robe. The robe is draped loosely over his head and gathered around his body in layered folds, revealing a bare chest. His stern, intense meditative expression is enhanced by intense glass-inlaid eyes. This position implies the scene from the legend where Daruma is facing a wall of a mountain cave in the vicinity of the monastery Shaolin on Mt. Song in Henan Province in China. Here he started to meditate after a frustrating encounter with Emperor Wu of China’s Liang dynasty. He will continue to meditate for nine years before reaching enlightenment. Period: Japan – Taishô Period (1912-1926) Dimensions: Total dimensions: Height 57 cm, Width 46 cm, Depth 24 cm. Figure dimensions: Height 44 cm, Width 30 cm, Depth 20.5 cm. Considering its age in a good condition with expected losses to the pigments and wear consistent with age, including restorations to the lacquer of the chair and pigments of the figure. Please refer to the photos for a clear condition reference. When shipped, we will include a certificate of authenticity