Dreaming of wealth? Then use the Daruma doll and make a wish that is sure to come true!
The Wealthy Husband
A geisha named Shikuro loved strolling through the rock garden and watching the cherry blossoms bloom. She was also absolutely obsessed with money! But who would allow a woman in medieval Japan to earn her own living? That was simply madness!
Shikuro chose the wealthiest man among all those who proposed to her. She didn’t care at all that he was forty years older. In fact, this circumstance pleased her greatly. She believed that her elderly husband would soon pass away and leave her a fortune! But things didn’t go as planned…
The One Who Outlives Everyone
Mr. Natagaki, who married one of Japan’s most beautiful geishas, followed the teachings of his ancestors and the principles of Chinese medicine. He hardly drank sake, didn’t smoke the pipe brought by the cursed Europeans, ate only the healthiest food, and walked a lot.
Despite his advanced age, Mr. Natagaki looked great and seemed like he wasn’t planning to die anytime soon—or ever. This, of course, upset Shikuro.
The Magic Cat
Over the years of marriage, the calculating geisha grew tired of her husband, who became healthier with each passing year instead of crumbling into dust as she had hoped. Nevertheless, Shikuro didn’t lose hope of her wish coming true.
The geisha took a statue of the Maneki Neko cat, made a wish, and hid it under the blooming cherry tree in the garden. She asked for Natagaki to be taken to his ancestors as soon as possible because she was fed up with the old lunatic who lived outrageously long! Besides, he followed the principles of Chinese medicine—that was simply unacceptable for a Japanese man!
A Friend’s Advice
Since then, Natagaki hasn’t been running as briskly. Yet he remains quick, agile, and smiles at everyone, wishing them as much health as the gods have granted him.
Shikuro didn’t know what to do. At one point, she even began to fear that her elderly husband might outlive her, and then she’d never see the fabulous wealth she dreamed of! Shikuro complained to her friend about her misfortune, and the friend told her about the magic of the Daruma—a special Japanese doll that grants wishes to those who follow Buddhist traditions.
Fairy Tales for the Little Ones
At first, the geisha didn’t believe it. She thought the Daruma was just a children’s tale, but her friend convinced her to make a wish during the New Year’s ritual of Kaigan-shiki. Otherwise, there was no guarantee the wish would work. And even during Kaigan-shiki, there was no certainty—there was always a risk of failure.
However, in the latter case, the Daruma could be burned at a Buddhist temple, and then a new one could be made. The gods would then see that the person truly needed what they were asking for. With a high probability, those who persisted in their wishes would eventually get what they wanted.
A Doll for a Greedy Bitch
Shikuro had no choice but to believe her friend, as the Daruma became her last hope for a better life without her husband, whom she had grown utterly tired of. She took the doll, wrote her name on its chin, and drew one eye—the second one would be drawn when the wish came true. Shikuro made the wish she had been dreaming of for years and hid the doll under the blooming cherry tree, placing it next to the Maneki Neko, which had darkened and slowly cracked, symbolizing the futility of the greedy woman’s desires.
By the way, you don’t have to be a completely shameless geisha to receive the gods’ help through the Daruma. You can also use its power! And if your wish is about money, play right now, and it will surely come true!
Darkness Demo 
