In this painting of a Daruma by Hatsumi Sensei, we see the Daruma with a spider coming down it`s web and clinging to the Daruma`s eyebrow.  The inscription reads, “ Ninjustu is on your eyebrow.... the spider`s thread, so close, the village of Togakure”.  Sometimes things are so close to us that we can not perceive them.  Like the eyeball can not see itself.  It is itself seeing, so it can not see itself.  Like the fire god coming down to earth and begging for fire.  Not knowing that he himself is that for which he searches.  The treasure is already buried deep within, it is up to us to shed the unnecessary in our thoughts and taijutsu to allow it to shine forth. 

The Daruma`s eyes are staring inward.  This is a form of “Happo Nirami” or “Staring in Eight Directions” .  It is also a form of “Ma Yokei”  or “warding off evil”. 

Another story which could be related to this picture is the parable of the Buddha allowing a spider to lower a thread into hell to save a ruffian whose only good deed in life was that he purposely avoided stepping on a spider one day.  As he climbs the thread to freedom, others below him grasp the tread and start to climb.  Fearing the line will break, the ruffian screams at them to get off the rope as he kicks and slashes at them.  He threatens to cut the rope above them which is precisely the moment the rope snaps above him snaps and he tumbles back to hell.  The Buddha sighs.