Japanese Happy New Year Barbie Doll Limited Edition Second in a Series 1996

Listen to the words AKEMASHITE OMEDETO GOZAIMASU and know the meaning - Happy New Year. In Japan, there is no other holiday as special and as filled with symbolist as the Japanese New Year. Although a celebration of the coming of Spring, on January 1, Spring is still several months away. Excitement builds all over Japan from cities to villages as preparations are made for the New Year festivities. Everything leads up to welcoming the TOSHIGAMA, the god of the year, to spend the first three days of the New Year with every family. One of the many rituals includes the preparation of KAGAMI MOCHI, steamed, pounded sweet rice that is formed into two cakes - the rice's elasticity represents strength and longevity, its white color suggests purity. Additional decorations may be added to the cakes - a single bitter orange to suggest longevity; a paper fan to suggest the opening of a New Year.

The cherry blossom pattern on Barbie doll's kimono also has a special meaning. The national flower of Japan, the cherry blossom is also a symbol of the New Year and has been favored by the Japanese people for many decades. New Year's is a wonderful time for young and old, a sweeping out of the old and a welcoming of the new.

Barbie Collectibles - Limited Edition - Second in a Series

Contents: 11.5" Barbie doll, kimono, obi, shoes, doll stand - For the adult collector, age 14 and up.

Brand new, NRFB. Boxes are in mint to near mint condition.

All of our items are from a clean, smoke free, pet free environment.

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B000SQC8BK