Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstarShohei Ohtani is teaming up with one of Japan's most enduring symbols of resilience in a new limited-edition collection unveiled by Fanatics Japan.
The hand-crafted Takasaki daruma dolls from Gunma Prefecture have represented wishful determination and the power to overcome adversity for generations. Rooted in the classic proverb nana korobi ya oki (七転び八起き) — "fall seven times, rise eight" — these papier-mâché figures embody the idea of getting back up stronger after every setback. That message aligns seamlessly with Ohtani's own story: the rare pitcher-hitter who has defied baseball norms, battled through multiple surgeries including Tommy John procedures, and returned each time to even greater heights.
Fanatics Japan designed the collaboration to celebrate exactly that shared spirit of grit, turning a traditional Japanese good-luck charm into both a collector's treasure and a cultural tribute to the global baseball icon.
Three Daruma Options, Strict Production Limits
The lineup centers on three distinct daruma options, each about 12 centimeters tall. The flagship offering is a two-piece white-and-blue set, strictly limited to 900 units worldwide. Priced at ¥27,500 (roughly US$190), the set comes with custom baseball-diamond display pedestals and a detailed booklet; the striking blue daruma is available only in this bundle. Fans wanting a single piece can choose either the white or grey daruma individually for ¥11,000 (about US$76) each.
Two Weeks Only, No Second Run
All items are produced on a made-to-order basis. Orders open at noon Japan time on May 15, 2026, exclusively through the official MLB Shop and run through May 29. Once planned quantities are filled, sales will close immediately — even if the two-week window has not yet ended. Fanatics Japan has confirmed there will be no additional production runs.
Craft Heritage Meets Global Baseball
The timing feels especially fitting. Fresh off signing MLB's largest-ever contract — a record 10-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers — Ohtani continues to reshape how baseball is watched and celebrated across Japan and the wider Asia-Pacific region. By linking his image to Takasaki's centuries-old craft, which accounts for more than 80 percent of all daruma dolls made in Japan and dates back to the Edo period, the collection elevates sports merchandise into something deeper: a bridge between traditional artisan heritage and the modern global game.
For baseball enthusiasts and collectors of Japanese folk art alike, this limited release offers a rare chance to own a piece that fuses athletic excellence with cultural legacy. With tight production caps and a narrow sales window, interested buyers will need to move quickly. （Related： Yen Breaches 160 Mark, Japan Warns of Currency Intervention ｜ Latest ）
