A craftsman in Yamanashi Prefecture, west of Tokyo, is busy making traditional daruma dolls.

The process of making Koshu daruma dolls by hand is a Yamanashi craft that dates back about 400 years. The dolls are said to bring good luck. Their facial features and beards are supposedly modeled on a famous Yamanashi warlord from the 16th century, Takeda Shingen.

Onuma Fujio in Kofu City is the only daruma craftsman in the prefecture. He began making the dolls about a decade ago.

Production peaks in December. The busy period is expected to last until January for sale in February. Onuma plans to make about 1,000 dolls.

He says it takes a steady hand to draw the fine lines to render a dignified expression. He hopes that people who get his dolls will have a peaceful and enjoyable year.