Political charms

Daruma doll artisan Sumikazu Nakata holds up one of the figurines at his Daimonya studio in Takasaki, north of Tokyo, yesterday. The daruma-doll industry is getting busy prior to the Sept. 11 parliamentary elections. It is a Japanese tradition to paint a black pupil in the left eye of the daruma after entrusting wishes to it. If the wish is fulfilled, the other pupil is added. A symbol of good luck and protection in Japan, daruma dolls are used by election candidates during their campaigning. Politicians mainly purchase 75cm-high daruma at prices exceeding ?30,000 (US$272).Aug 28, 2005

PHOTO: EPA