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Doll Art Exhibition in Dubai 2009

The Doll Art Exhibition was held at the city festival center in Dubai from the 9th to the 23rd of July. 15 artists from all over the world attended this exhibition. I was one of artists.

Dubai has a big summer event called summer supply every year. They decided to have doll exhibition as one of events this year. This was the first experience for them to see many kinds of hand made dolls. People were very eager to see dolls and workshops. I was surprised how popular Japanese culture in Dubai was. Many people spoke to me in Japanese too.

I enjoyed sightseeing in Dubai during day. We worked from 16:00 p.m. to 22:00p.m. So, we had free time during day.

It was a big success. Many people asked me to come back to Dubai and why I didn't have a shop in Dubai. I would like to go back to Dubai if I have another chance.

The Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys

Hello,

Our exhibition of Japanese Dolls and Toys is up and visitors are really
enjoying it. Thank you again for you contributions. I wanted to send
along a few photographs of the exhibition.

Thanks,

Jillian Allison
Coordinator of Education and Programs
Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys
1880 Gaylord Street
Denver, CO 80206
303-322-1053
www.dmmdt.org

The Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys

I just wanted to let you all know of an exhibition going on in Denver, Colorado that you might be interested in. Here are the details:

Exhibition Title: Hina Matsuri: Girls' Day and the Dolls of Japan

When: January 1st- March 31st

Where: The Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys

The woman heading up the exhibit contacted me through my Etsy Shop and asked me if I could provide her with some information about Washi Ningyou. I sent her a short essay/biography as well as two of my own dolls (a maiko and a Japanese bride). The dolls will be on display at the museum.

If you would like more information, you can check out the museum's website: http://www.dmmdt. org/Exhibits. htm

Shiokumi

Andy made this Shiokumi doll.

Around the Heian Period,　a man named Aiwara Yukihiro betrayed the government. The Emperor was outraged and for his punishment, Yukihiro was banished to a remote island. He was sent there for three years.
While on the island he met two beautiful girls named Matsukaze and Murasame, whom he fell in love with.
Matsukaze and Murasame were “Shiokumi”. The name reflected their jobs which were to carry buckets of salt water. The salt water was later refined into salt. “Shiokumi” literally means “to carry salt water” It’s also the name of a traditional Japanese dance.
After Yukihiro 3 years of banishment were finished, he was permitted to return to the capital. He promised before leaving to return for both Matsukaze and Murasame someday. He wanted them to live on the mainland with him. Sadly, this promise went unfulfilled due to his untimely demise.　
　The sisters were greatly saddened by his death. They hung up the hat and hunting jacket he had left behind on a pine tree where they cried. While remembering him, they danced wearing his hat and jacket, while also carrying their water buckets.

Making sword demonstration

Seki is famous for making swords and cutlery. We export cutleries to the world. The history of making swords in Seki is over 700 years. Swords were used for wars a long time ago, but people buy them as decorations or to use for Martial arts nowadays. Swords are very beautiful art. Hollywood moves used swords made in Seki.

This time, I had a doll class in the morning and we went to see the sword demonstration.