Bodhidharma: the Representation and Popularization of the Legendary Founder of Chan Buddhism in Japan

Abstract

According to tradition, the founder of chan 禅 or meditational Buddhism, Bodhidharma (Chinese Putidamo 菩提達摩) originated from India, yet his legend and first representations are more typically associated with China and spread to most East Asian countries. However, it is in Japan that he became the most popular and the most visible figure, seen not only in the temple compounds but in everyday life as well, in the streets, in homes, offices, restaurants, public buildings and many other places, and often in a form of a red tumbler, called the Daruma 達摩 doll. In this paper I focus on the visual representations of Bodhidharma as they became popular in Japan, attempting to get an answer to the question how the religious founder became a tumbler doll.