On April 26, 2021, Mayor Ken McClure participated in the tradition of drawing an eye on a “daruma” doll to commemorate Springfield’s 35th anniversary of Springfield’s sister city relationship with Isesaki, Japan.
Isesaki is the second largest city in Gunma prefecture. The largest city in Gunma, Takasaki, is located just ten miles away. One of the most popular products of Takasaki is the daruma, a talisman of good fortune.
Darumas are sold without eyes. Traditionally, one eye is drawn on at the beginning of the year as a wish is made or a goal is set. At the end of the year, the second eye is drawn as an expression of gratitude.
This particular daruma is a gift from the City of Isesaki and the Isesaki International Relations Association. The mayor of Isesaki, Mr. Hiji, initiated the drawing of the daruma’s left eye, and Mayor McClure completed the drawing.
While single-eyed, the daruma will serve as a guardian of the sister city bond between Springfield and Isesaki. When the second eye is completed in April 2023, the daruma will serve as an ongoing celebration of the relationship for years to come.
Every daruma doll is unique, and this one has some special meanings. The red color represents protection. Its eyebrows resemble cranes and its mustache resembles turtles, representing longevity. “City of Springfield” is written on the left and “City of Isesaki” is written on the right in Japanese. Each city’s emblem is below its name, bridged by “Peace Through People,” the Sister Cities motto.
The 35th anniversary of the sister city relationship is celebrated in the middle with the word “kizuna.” Kizuna means “bond,” or a connection between people. Japanese people use the word kizuna to express friendship, trust, and helping each other. The City of Isesaki used the word kizuna to express the desire to cherish the bond of friendship between the two cities.
Traditionally, completed daruma dolls are taken to a shrine to be burned. The burning of darumas is a memorial service to express thanks for the good fortune. This daruma will be kept and displayed as an ongoing symbol of the relationship between the two cities.
Photos by Designing Indie
