TOKYO — Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his two-day visit to Japan, was presented with a unique and meaningful gift on Friday: a Daruma Doll. The traditional Japanese doll, a potent symbol of good luck and perseverance, was gifted to him by Rev. Seishi Hirose, the chief priest of the Shorinzan Daruma-Ji Temple in Tokyo.
The gesture is a testament to the close historical and spiritual bonds shared by the two nations. The Daruma Doll, a hollow, rounded figurine, is modeled after Bodhidharma, an Indian monk who is widely regarded as the founder of the Zen tradition of Buddhism. Though they come in various colors, the dolls are most famously red, depicting the Indian monk.
The Daruma Doll’s significance is rooted in the Japanese saying, “fall down seven times, get up eight,” which symbolizes resilience and the will to never give up. Traditionally, a person will color in one eye of the doll when they set a personal goal. The doll then acts as a constant reminder to work towards that goal, and the second eye is only filled in once the goal has been achieved.
Beyond the special gift, PM Modi’s visit has been packed with high-level diplomatic engagements. Earlier in the day, he met with former Japanese Prime Ministers Yoshihide Suga and Fumio Kishida. In a post on X, PM Modi noted his discussion with Mr. Suga focused on deepening cooperation across technology, AI, trade, and investment. He also expressed that he had a “wonderful meeting” with Mr. Kishida, where they discussed the progress of the India-Japan bilateral partnership in areas like trade, critical technologies, and human resource mobility.
PM Modi also addressed the India-Japan Economic Forum, where he highlighted India’s rapid growth and called for a stronger partnership with Japan. He emphasized that “Japan’s excellence and India’s scale can create a perfect partnership,” echoing remarks made by Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at the forum. He urged Japanese businesses to invest in India, citing opportunities in manufacturing, green energy, and skill development, and stated that “the world is not just watching India but also counting on it.”