Sunday, May 13, 2012

My Australian Baby and "American Blue-eyed Dolls"♬

(posted; Japanese culture page)
Hello, my name is Cony♪
I'm from Australia and now I am an only beloved baby girl for my Japanese Mom called Orchid. Mom's city and the city I came from has a sister city relationship. And she used to have or developed a really lovely ties with the couple of the former deputy Mayor. I was chosen as mom's girl from the wife of the couple as she knew mom hasn't blessed one. When she was coming back to Japan with me, she seemed SO worried if I was OK for the trip both physically and mentally. As you may guess from my pouty face, I am a tough girl; I enjoyed the airline journey to Japan♡♡♡ 




And mom told me that her late mother having been a big children's song lover; when I was handed to her, I instantly made her reminded the famous children's song called American Blue-eyed Dolls which she sang with her mom a lot. Mom treats me with great affection and also I'm a bit strong-minded, haha; so it is kind of opposite from the history of the story and song.  It was her who had trouble with my Australian accent (she said almost all her hearing ability came from American dramas and movies). When I say number 8, it sounds like "aight" not "eight" for her.  
Mom said she would be so appreciated if you read the history of the "American Blue-eyed Dolls" from the link in the story below, as it was moved her a lot when she was little. Mom visited her mother's grave yard and told her about this post, she said she became a bit sentimental. But today being mother's day, I know her mom is listening the song with her smiling.(^^;)


American Blue-eyed Dolls
When the 12,739 American Friendship Dolls with blue eyes arrived in Japan in 1927, they made a profound impression on Japanese children. Even today, these dolls continue their mission of friendship and peace in almost 300 elementary schools and kindergartens throughout Japan.
Four Remaining Dolls
in Ehime Prefecture
The history of the American Blue-eyed Dolls did not run smoothly, with most of them destroyed or lost during World War II. However, starting in the 1970s, many dolls have been found that were previously hidden away and forgotten about.
Each of the individual dolls has a fascinating history. Many schools have created web pages to tell the history of their Blue-eyed Dolls. In addition, several web sites in Japan have been established to tell the fascinating story of the American Blue-eyed Dolls. One web site seeks to connect by Internet the schools throughout Japan that have Blue-eyed Dolls.
Even though many of the American dolls sent in 1927 did not have blue eyes, they soon became known as "Blue-eyed Dolls" based on a popular children's song entitled "Blue-eyed Doll."
Over the past two decades, Sidney Gulick, 3d, and his wife Frances, in addition to other Americans, have sent new dolls to Japanese elementary schools and kindergartens. These new American dolls continue the tradition of friendship started in 1927.




aoi meoshita oningyo ha    amerika umare no seruroido
nihon no minato he tuitatoki   ippai namida wo ukabeteta 
watashi ha kotoba ga wakaranai  maigoni nattara nantoshiyo
yasashii nihon no jyouchan yo

nakayoku asonde yattokure    nakayoku asonde yattokure

English translation

A blue-eyed doll,   Made of celluloid,  Was born in America. 
  
When she arrived at a harbor in Japan, She had many tears in her eyes. 
I do not understand the language.  If I get lost, what should I do?
Warm-hearted Japanese girls,
Please be my friends and play with me.  Please be my friends and play with me.
                           
                           Thank you so much for reading today's long story,
ps> I understand that a couple of my friends are having physical problem at the moment. I do hope their pain will be eased with the help of the medicine soon. Take care my friends and I'll catch up with your posts soon.
  

12 comments:

  1. Dear Mikayo,
    What a beautiful story you posted today. That is a little bit of history that I never knew about. (What a terrible sentence that is!) Your doll is beautiful and has a fascinating history. Thank you for sharing it with us.

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  2. Dearest Miyako,

    Have already sent you an email as this post is coincident with my sister-city visit to Japan where we got to see Betty Jane, a blue eyed doll from America!
    Your doll is precious and this must be very special to you. Going to your Mother's grave of course is sentimental as so many fond memories will surface. Great post and great tribute to Mother's Day.
    Love to you dear friend,

    Mariette

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  3. What a tremendously interesting piece you have posted today, my dear friend Miyako! I so enjoyed reading about your Australian little girl and also about the American blue eyed dolls, which I hadn't heard of before.

    I hope today you will be buoyed up with gladness of the memories of your mom, sweet friend!

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  4. What a truly lovely post.You are very fortunate to have such a beautiful child.
    I loved reading the history,I did not know the full story si I have learned something new. Now I can say Happy Mothers Day to you.
    Love and hugs

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  5. Dear Miyako,
    You always have such interesting things to write about for your posts. I have never heard of the American Blue-eyed Dolls until now. Your beautiful Cony also has an interesting story and I'm sure she is cherished by you and has a special place in your home. Today I'm feeling a bit sad thinking of my mother and wishing she was here. I have a doll that belonged to her in my collection, that looks very much like one of the American Blue-eyed Dolls in the photo. Have a lovely day my dear bs. Love always, Maddy

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  6. What a pretty doll and a wonderful story. I never knew about these dolls. A nice post for Mother's Day. xo

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  7. what a beautiful story! i've never heard of this story before. what a lovely doll! she is really beautiful. i love the idea of the friendship dolls.

    your posts are always so interesting and fascinating to read. happy mother's day to you my dear, sweet friend.

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  8. Dear Miyako, What a delightful post for us today my friend! The little doll is beautiful (but I agree - she does have a little pouty face! Hee Hee!). She is very lucky to have you as her mum. I did smile at the Australian sounding 'aight' instead of 'eight'. I think you have a very good sense of humour. I had never heard of the story about the American Blue Eyed Dolls either - how fascinating. You always teach us things that we didn't know before, and we are grateful to you for that. Love to you and your cute little doll. Our Mothers Day here in England was back in March, but I am glad that you have happy memories of your own dear mum.

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  9. Dearest Miyako san,
    Your has pouty face in Australia from would be so appreciated of the American Blue eyed Dolls I know her mum of the soney with her smiling one web individual dolls of Blue-eyed Dolls of mum been to connect by internet the schools was very tradition triendships 1927.
    I was realy enjoy to tuitatoki sosite Nakayoko asonde yattokore.

    I was realy enjoy to tuittoki sosite nakayoko asonde yattokore.

    I will wait for your for next time.

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  10. Hi Miyako san, Cony is so pretty! I love her pouty face :-) Until I read your post, I did not have a concrete knowledge about these dolls. I enjoyed learning more about their history.
    I hope you had wonderful mother's day!!

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  11. Cony is just so pretty and I loved reading her story, I love learning new things and this has enlighten to something else I knew nothing about thank you.....

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  12. This is such a magical post, my friend. I love dolls and your Cony is an Australian beauty. I have never heard of the American Blue-Eyed Dolls before and found this quite fascinating. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. Hugs to you sweetie, Mina

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