Daruma dolls, which are believed to bring good luck, are lined up at craftsman Sumikazu Nakataa studio "Daimonya" in Takasaki, northwest of Tokyo November 29.

Daruma dolls, representing the Indian priest Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism in China, is used to bring luck. It is also a favourite item of election candidates where they traditionally paint only one eye on the doll when they start their campaign and paint the other eye if they win in the election. The sales of Daruma has risen as candidates and campaign supporters purchased the lucky dolls ahead of the December 16 election, Nakata said. Reuters/Yuriko Nakao