Japanese - Tsuba with Daruma - Walters 51213

The figure at the lower left of this tsuba is Daruma, the Chinese monk who founded Zen Buddhism by mediating in a cave. In his hand he holds a fly whisk executed in silver. The five characters on the left side of the tsuba are a quote from the Flower Ornament Sutra: "Everything you experience is a reflection of what is in your heart." On the back is a ruyi scepter often carried by Buddhist monks. The rough nature of the tsuba's background is an appropriate pairing with a depiction of Daruma because he advocated a life of simplicity.