"Locals gathered at Dairyuji Temple in Awano to ring in the New Year by burning their Daruma dolls for good luck, setting goals, and making wishes in a long-cherished tradition. Footage captured on Sunday shows temple priests walking down stairs from the temple along with locals carrying daruma dolls. One priest is seen burning the ribbon as an opening gesture and later burning the dolls. "As you have just seen, it burns and eventually turns to ashes. By turning to ashes, its form is gone, and it has departed for a world beyond our reach," Chief Priest Shuho Teramachi remarked. "This is what a Daruma memorial service is all about, so we offer our service with gratitude in mind, saying 'Thank you' and thanking dolls for listening to our prayers," he continued. Some locals shared their wishes for the New Year, with one hoping for success in his business and another praying for good health. After tossing their dolls into the fire, participants then visited the shrine to voice their wishes for the upcoming year, many already carrying new dolls in hand for a fresh start. Each Daruma, crafted from papier-mache, is modelled after Bodhidharma, the founder of the Zen tradition of Buddhism. When purchased, the Daruma's eyes are blank, symbolising goals yet to be achieved. This year, more than 7,000 Daruma dolls of various sizes, donated from within and outside the prefecture, were burned."