Dolls...Dolls...Dolls!!

Dolls........not a particularly rivetting conversation piece but each to his own. We all have different interests. Not something I would normally be interested in but .......

The Yokohama Doll Museum is located very close to where we live in Yamashita-cho. I had read about it in various tourist articles and personally had not really been that interested. Our latest alien visitor, Steve's mum Paula, was very keen to visit and learn a little more about Japanese culture. So after a stroll down Motomachi Street and a coffee stop at Starbuck's, we headed off to the museum.

The entry fee was 800yen which seemed reasonable, but was 300yen more than the advertised price. Apparently the fee can be altered according to the current displays. I had read a fairly negative critique on the Internet which said 'Give it a miss' but we decided to form our own opinions. Experience has taught me not to always trust what you read.

Even so, as I entered I was still feeling like I could take it or leave it. Paula on the other hand was enthusiastic and instantly impressed. I will concede it was interesting to find out the origins of the museum and the reasons for its establishment. Within its walls there are more than 3500 dolls, from Japan and around the world, on display. The Dolls of the World and Japanese dolls are very beautiful, but I found the story of the 'Friendship dolls' the most interesting, from an historical point.

These dolls depicting young children were particularly lovely. The crying baby was so realistic that you wanted to gather it in your arms to stop its crying!!

The 'Dolls of the World' collection was extensive but most of my photos have depicted some of the Japanese collection.

I do admit that looking at dolls is not everyone's cup of tea. However, to learn a little more about Japanese and American relations, considering the huge impact the war had on both countries, was interesting and very informative.

Japanese friendship dolls and the American Blue-eyed dolls were programs of goodwill between Japan and America. An American Sidney Gulick, who was a missionary in Japan, initiated an exchange of dolls between children as a way to ease cultural tensions in the 1920s. He was familiar with how important dolls were in the Japanese culture. Over 12,000 American Blue Eyed Dolls were sent to Japan. A Japanese viscount responded by initiating a program to send 58 dolls to American museums and libraries. The best doll makers were commissioned to make the dolls. They were 32-33 inches high and dressed in beautiful kimonos made of silk. Dolls would be sent to their new country complete with their own passport. Sadly many of the American dolls were destroyed during during the war when tensions were at their peak. Blossom can be seen at the museum. Most of the Japanese friendship dolls still exist and are on display throughout America.

We completed our visit painting miniature Japanese models (less than 1cm tall) to add to the large display shown below.

If you have plenty of time whilst in Yokohama, the Doll Museum provides a peaceful respite from the normal humdrum. I didn't feel I had wasted my money but then again I have the luxury of visiting these attractions at my leisure.