Barbie Happy New Year Japanese Doll 1995 Mattel #14024 NRFB

Oshogatsu is a very important holiday for the Japanese-families gather from far and wide to celebrate the beginning of the year by going to shrines to pray for new year's blessings.

Barbie sends you this special greeting card to thank you for all your kindness during the past year and to wish you great joy in the new one.

Dressed in a formal furisode type of kimono, Barbie visits the shrine with her family and her boyfriend, Ken.

The gold and white sash, called an obi, is tied around her waist with an obi-jime, the gold cord that holds it in place. Underneath the kimono is a white date-jime (waistband), and under the date-jime is a sleeveless white slip. These undergarments help to create a smooth and rounded physical outline allowing the kimono to fit properly and beautifully.

On her feet are the traditional Japanese sandals called zori. A furisode has extra long sleeves and is only worn by single women. The long sleeves signify there is still space to love someone with all her heart.

Although kimono have the same basic shape, there are many different kinds of colors and patterns for the seasons. The gold flowers in this festival kimono represent plum blossoms, which bloom in January. Barbie, like the plum blossoms, joyfully welcomes in the New Year!
 

Barbie wears a furisode kimono. - Akemeshite Omedeto Gozaimasu means Happy New Year in Japanese! - Includes Doll Stand - Ages 14 and Up - Mattel 1995

Box shows minor wear, scuffing, and creasing. Doll is in great condition and never removed from box. Please zoom in on the photos to get the most accurate representation of the item.