Museum Picks
Joyce Inouye’s pick: Yumi Talking Doll and Asian Musical Dolls Over the past four years, the Children Courtyard Kids Festival has become a featured event at the Museum every August. It has grown in attendance every year and it is exciting to see how it draws new generations to the Museum. Young parents bring their kids, grandparents come with the family and it is obvious that everyone is thirsty to pass on some of the traditions and a bit of Japanese culture. We are anxious that our children learn something of their background and it is never too early to start. Among the new merchandise at the Museum Store, I was excited to discover the growing selection of Asian dolls. When I was growing up, the only Asian dolls were either family artifacts enclosed in a glass case “for viewing only” or kokeshi dolls which had limited entertainment value. These were not huggable or terribly personal items. Since then, Barbie and Chatty Cathy have led the way to talking “Yumi” and a variety of musical dolls in handcrafted Asian costumes. Combining a little culture and interactive fun, these are unique gifts that every little girl will treasure. “Yumi” is a cuddly Japanese doll with bilingual skills to make every mom proud. Squeeze one hand and she speaks in Japanese. Squeeze the other hand and she talks in English. The new selection of “Name Your Own” dolls are available in ethnic costumes of Japan, China or Korea. Each of these is a windup playing music from her own country. Joyce Inouye has been a volunteer at the Japanese American National Museum since its opening year. She assists in the Hirasaki National Resource Center, the Museum Store, and also does National Museum outreach at various events throughout the community. October 2002 | |
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