The history of the Doll Festival, originally Girls'
Day on the third day of the third month, is not much known by
celebrants. Nowadays from mid-February to early March, families
with girls customarily display a set of dolls harking back to
the classical Heian court.
Based on this custom, in 1927 Japan-U.S Friendship
Dolls were exchanged, such as Miss Kagawa and Anama Julie who
was sent to Kagawa Prefecture (see the animated GIF above, with
thanks to the Miss Kagawa Homecoming Committee). Miss Kagawa was
the only doll to remain displayed throughout World War II, with
a sign in a North Carolina museum saying that the Japanese leaders,
not the people, were to blame for the insane attack on Pearl Harbor.
Miss Kagawa and other dolls have recently returned to Japan for
refurbishing and display, creating quite a sensation and a renewed
role for the dolls as peace ambassadors.
Links to more details and photos:
JADE
Girls Day Doll Page
JADE Friendship
Dolls Locations
North
Carolina Museum hosts Japanese delegation
Photos and
Text in Japanese from Kagawa Prefecture
Presentation by WAOE
President Steve McCarty,
Kagawa, Japan, February 1999 / Updated on 28 November
2001
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