30. The moon through a crumbling window (Haso no tsuki)

Bodhidharma (Daruma in japanese), the founder of Zen Buddhism, was the son of an Indian king. He meditated for nine years before he became enlightened. The years gone by are represented by the crumbling, vine-clad walls. The moon shining trough the cave window is an allusion to enlightenment. Daruma is said to have lost the use of his legs after spending nine years in his cave, and is nowadays best known in Japan as a limbless, usually red-suited, self-righting doll. Daruma dolls are a symbol of optimism, good fortune and strong determination. (June 1886)