craft, Doll, japanese, Uncategorized

Now even my doll has a mask.

Greetings from Japan.

In case you’re confused, the left is mini-me (in a mask I just made her so she doesn’t worry) and the right is me-me at work on the last day Japanese students attended all classes.

I’m not overly worried about coronavirus/covid-19. I wash my hands, have my hand sanitizer, stopped biting my nails last year, and am generally prepared for contagions because I’m an asthmatic who works with elementary school kids. Kids are nasty.

Despite not being worried about it, Covid-19 is impacting my life and the lives of those around me.

Japanese public schools, which generally end their school year mid-march, are now closed from March 2nd to April. That news broke on Thursday night, while I was teaching dance, and I was inundated with texts.

Friday I headed to school in the morning unsure of if I would be required to attend school until March 10th (like many teachers will be). It also only dawned on me on the morning train that I probably wouldn’t simply be teaching six periods of English classes as planned on Friday. English is far less important than wrapping up EVERYTHING. Sure enough, the cancellations rolled in shortly after I arrived.

It was amazing that I did teach one 3rd grade class. The students and teacher appreciated a return to singing songs and clapping.

We don’t know if the 6th graders will get a graduation ceremony at this rate. The second half of Friday at school featured a last minute “goodbye party” for them. Usually there is a large, school-wide assembly where each grade performs a song/dance/skit/thank you for the outgoing 6th graders. The out-going 6th graders thank each grade and encourage them.

it was planned for next week but was quickly moved. Instead of having the whole school in the gym. The 6th graders stayed in the gym and each grade came to separately present their performances….getting hand-sprayed with sanitizer going in and exiting the gym.

I was lucky to be able to watch it all. It’s hard to put into words how goddamned adorable and amusingly costumed this yearly event it.

Also, I was going crazy with the doing nothing. I’d packed up and organized the English room and had taught my only class. I still didn’t know if I’d have to take all my belongings home that day.

With 30 minutes left on the work clock I learned that English assitants (me) and IT staff will be attending student-less schools until the end of our contracts. I guess the English room will get more posters!

Disneyland and Disney Sea will be closed for at least two weeks, so my commute to no-student school might be less crazy each morning and afternoon (we’re one train stop away from the Disneys).

I’ve started to wear masks at school and one public transport. Not that I think it helps much, but I realize it will make others around me less worried.

And maybe the train sign will stop talking to me.

I also have a homemade mask and will make more. In part because, yes, if you don’t have a school providing you with masks…they’ve been sold out at stores for WEEKS.

 

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The bags under my eyes aren’t from worry. That’s just how I look at 6:30 am Friday after work + three dance lessons on Thursday.

Also, there were false rumors on social media about all paper products in Japan coming from China and thus shipping won’t happen and we’re about to face a paper-product shortage.

This is untrue because most of the pulp used to produce paper products here is from here…Japan.

It’s also now sort of true because, thanks to people freaking out, there’s no toilet paper to be bought anymore. I have a stockpile of tissue because of allergies so I’m safe.

Hand sanitizer and rubbing alcohol is also scarce…but I work with kids AND made a fair amount of my own cleaning products so I have enough rubbing alcohol to add to distilled water/glycerine and maybe some aloe-gel as a base..to continue to fill my own containers…on top of regular hand washing. Wash them hands, folks.  WASH THEM.

If I were in a more precarious head space the empty aisles would probably give me 3/11 Earthquake flashbacks. As it is they just annoy me.

So, that’s why my doll now has a mask.

I figure I can use some of the time going crazy with nothing to do at work to better research the Japanese terminology around ADHD for my March 6th appointment.

I’d sort of hoped wouldn’t fall into the “must come to work” category and could start playing with the airbrush I now have…but going crazy at work has the advantage of a paycheck.

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Updates: Continue moving forward

Job stress: Will I be under employed? Can I find a different job quickly? Will I get permanent residency? Should I just go with being underemployed and cram for JLPT N2 6 months earlier than planed?

These are the things that make me want to just nap all day. When I’m asleep, I can’t consciously worry. I’ve had a few days since learning about work that involved doing one or two things and then nap. Nap. Nap.

I know this is depression.

When I can craft, that’s a win. It means I’m not asleep all day. I’m working on my kanji and Japanese gramar studies daily as well. I’ve applied to various jobs and…if I don’t hear anything in 3 hours…will do more of that. I continue to teach dance and know I may need to increase that soon.

I’ve had an interveiw….but I haven’t heard back since.

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Protip:
Always go early to interviews to make sure you can find the location. This is extra important when you travel by train and on foot. But you don’t want to officially arrive TOO early, that’s a bad look. Hopefully the offices will be located near a Donki Hote or similar store where you can relax a bit.

Of course, this is purely hypothetical.

In doll land, I am knitting Snow a sweater and have made her jeans. I don’t plan to keep her. I do plan to try and sell her and a few of the other Disney Animators dolls I’ve done. Knitting helps. Even when I have to frog a row, I concentrate.

 

 

I’ve been modding a random 200yen figure to make a “Pretty Pegasus Raven” to try what I think is a Japanese version of Apoxy Sculpt, Wave Epoxy Putty (light weight).

Yes, taking a handsaw to a doll’s hair was…theraputic.

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She’ll get more putty layers before I’m finished.

Raven the average sized Ever After Doll continues as well. I’ve made her her cape, her arm/thingies and boots.

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I sculpted some accessories and her belt from air-dry polymer clay..but they are still drying.

And that’s how I’m moving forward. There are three dolls on my balcony drying a new layer of Mr.Superclear. I’m reminding myself that I only awoke a few hours ago so I can’t possibly nap yet. I’m thinking about lunch.

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Not Orphans

We all have a few pop culture references that are so specific that we rarely say them out loud, knowing that they will fall on ears that don’t get them, yet so persistent that they haunt us time after time.

One of mine, and I think it too often, is:

Jerry: I was under the impression that you could win prizes or money. Not orphaned children.

It’s from the Mind Match skit from The State, a sketch comedy show that ran three seasons on MTV. The concept of the bit is that two games show contestants find themselves winning orphans they DO NOT WANT and start attempting, without much luck, to throw the quiz and stick the other person with the lonely souls.

Susan : Um, I have a very small apartment. I don’t know what I would do with four foster children.

Host: Well, figure it out because you’re their legal guardian and it’s time for Round 2, where the orphan points double.

What cemented this skit in my mind was the two years I worked in an independent video store in my hometown. A store so amazing that in 2018 it still exists. We had free range over what we showed/watched while working only limited by what others on staff could not stand to see again and decency (at certain hours decency not included) And we had a VHS compilation of The State ( The State and Stickers*…*stickers not included) which we often popped in.

Susan: I didn’t say anything. I mean, I didn’t answer. You must’ve-

Host: A smart move. A wrong answer could have cost you the lead. (Bell) Hey, that bell means it’s time for our Double Dare question! Jerry, how many of your orphans are you willing to wager?

Jerry: All- all of them.

Host: Hey, it looks like Jerry is looking to double his orphans. Susan, how many will you bet?

Susan: Well, uh, all of them.

And as much as The State is a beloved cult classic for for ages it wasn’t released in full only video or DVD because, as an MTV show, it used a lot of modern pop music they then couldn’t get the rights for….and the music/MTV combo meant that clips released to You Tube were cracked down on…and Mind Match never had the pop culture reach of, say, “240$ worth of pudding did.

So I don’t often say “I was under the impression that you could win prizes or money. Not orphaned children. “ but if the topic of orphans or gameshows or even winning comes up…I’m thinking it.

So when I opened up Dolly*Dolly Vol 20 and met Little Miss No Name.

There it was.

An Orphan. That quote.

In 1965 Hasbro asked itself, “What do little girls want?”…and perhaps knowing it wasn’t up for doing battle with Mattel’s fashion warrior Barbie and her additional purchases kingdom…answered “Orphan. Little girls want an Orphan to take care of.”

And they made an orphan. Nothing fancy or aspirational like Little Orphan Annie promisingyou’ll be scoped up and taken to bigger and better things. Not. A Keene-esque sad-eyed orphan among orphans. Fake dirt on her cheeks. No shoes. A patched burlap dress. A TEAR DROP. Her hand outstretched….for something. Anything.

Her box read, “ I need someone to love me. I am so tired and cold. please take me home with you and I will be yours to hold. I want someone to love me, I want to learn to play, please take me home with you and brush my tear away.”

And she was called Little Miss No Name.

From Dolly*Dolly Vol 20, pg23-24

My rough translations of….

Model: Little Miss No Name

Text: momiji

Where is love?

Where is that person?

So, this world

We can see photons and phonons, right?

Shouldn’t we be able to hear where we’ll meet this person?

The sounds of wheels on London pavement.

The permeating ether of 1,000,000,000 years connects us.

I’ve spent my time the leader of loneliness and silence.

The wandering Oliver whispered in my ear

Have you found eternity?

The world I can see from my window, is this all there is?

Yes, really. This must be all that’s been created.

To make sure, I’ll slip away tonight.

愛はどこにあるの?

あの人はどこにるの?

この世界はね

フォトンとフォノンでできてるの

ほら見えるでしょ?

あの人と出会った場所

ほら聴こえるでしょ?

倫敦の石畳のあに車輪の音

充満したエーテルが繋ぐ十億年

孤独と静寂の支配者は去ったよ

彷徨うオリバーは耳打ちしたの

永遠はみつかった?

窓から見える世界は全て真実?

ううん本当はね きっと全部造りものなの

それを確かめる為に私、今夜抜け出したのよ

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Dolly Dolly Vol 4. Closet Freak Doll Trunk pt 2

Don’t get too excited, Closet Freak is the artist who did the doll trunk and fashions for this photoshoot. As is often true, the English name provides a dream the reality doesn’t quite fit into correctly. Part 1 is here.

This is a Japanese Artist’s vision of an doll trunk, wherein the doll’s outfits mirror her owner’s (bygone/upperclass/English or European) life

Scan 3

The dream you see when you close your eyelids.
A recently finished white textured cotton negligee that feel soothing to wear. Torchon lace decorating the chest gives it increased dimensionality. Every night their good friend reads a story to them, almost like a magic spell, in hopes of giving them good dreams. I wonder what they’ll see in their dreams tonight?

Torchon lace is a type of sturdy bobbin lace traditionally made in Europe.
瞼を閉じて見る夢は…
テクチャーのある白いコットン生地で縫い上げたやさし着心地のネグリジェ。トーションレースで胸元を彩り、立体感を出しました。仲良しの子羊ちゃんは毎晩、絵本を読んであげます。素敵な夢を見るためのおまじないだそうです。今晩はどんな夢を見るのかな?

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Prayer Sunday

A simple A-line dress with a white stand-up collar detail. A finished matching bolero with embroidered embellishment makes for a tidy outfit for attending mass. The rosary is also handcrafted. On Sunday, at church, we pray and sing hymns.

祈りを捧げる日曜日
Aラインのシンプルなワンピースは白い立て衿がポイント。刺繍をあしらったボレロを合わせて清楚な御ミサ用のお洋服に仕上げます。ロサリオも手作りです。金曜日は、教会でお祈りを捧げ、賛美歌を歌います。

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Easter egg hunt in a spring field

As a playsuit, I made a retro-styled sailor outfit. To look good against the fresh grass, I chose pink. I substituted a belt for the lower waist as added detail. The hat brim is decorated with a flower. I love Easter egg hunts, because I used to find so many!

春の野原でイースターの卵探し
遊び着としてレトロテイストのセーラー服を作りました。若草に映えるようにぴんくをチョイス。ローウエストの切り替えやベルトがポイント。裏わら帽子にはお花を飾りました。イースターの卵探しが大好き!たくさん、見つけたのよ。

 

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SD Jargon & Closet Freak Doll Trunk

Doll magazines have a lot of jargon that I’m just starting to grasp. Dolly*Dolly magazines have a lot of clothing patterns for dolls but they usually refer to the specific doll it was designed for…which means I’m trying to learn about other doll bodies to know what will work on my dolls.

One of the doll trunks featured in Dolly*Dolly Vol 4. also has sewing patterns for the dolls shown MiniSD…so I needed to figure out some VOLKS jargon. I promise pictures of a doll trunk follow.

  • Volks, Inc.  is a Japan-based corporation that produces Dollfie, Super Dollfie and Dolfie Dream dolls as well as resin kits and mecha model kits.
  • Dollfie is one of the brand of vinyl dolls Volks Inc makes. Dollfie is the 1/6 playscale version of Volks dolls which makes them similar in body size to Pullips and Dals or Barbies. They’re generally 23–29 cm (9–11.5 in). Dollfies are intended to to be customized, generally coming with unpainted/unfinished heads for owners or artist to paint themselves.
  • Super Dollfie (or SD): Are also made by Volks but are a brand of ball-jointed doll (BJD) which means their limbs and points of articulation have ball joints and are all strung together inside the body with thick elastic cord. SD are made of polyurethane resin, a dense plastic with a porcelain-like finish. From this point on all the dolls I’m talking about here will be of that sort of construction (not vinyl like basic Dolfies)

 These dolls are much taller than basic Dollfies and seem to come in different sizes: SD10 are 55 cm tall (almost 22”) and SD13  girls are 57 cm (about 22.5”) and the boys 60 cm (about 23.5”) tall. SD dolls are presented at a price-point that makes them targeted at adult collectors. They are dolls designed to be easily customizable (as Volks also makes wigs, eyeballs, optional hands, different chest dimentions and other body parts that can be swapped in and out). They are generally (like Pullip/Groove dolls) sold with various face designs but those can easily be removed and repainted. The doll resin can also be carved and sanded.
  • Mini Super Dollfie (or MiniSD or MSD) has more child-like bodies and stand about 42 cm (16.5”) tall.
  • Yo-SD Are even younger looking than MSD dolls. They stand 26.5 cm (10.5”) in height.

ONTO THE PICTURES!

DisclaimerI am also not a translator. I’m doing this for my Japanese practice but my Japanese translation style is more “getting the jist of it” than it is “accurate”… so if you have feedback please present it with kindness. I want to learn more but I don’t wish to be scared off.

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Me and Her: Traveling Doll.
MINI SD * Closet Freak
In this villa she and I can spend our days off, it is my favourite trunk to travel in. It’s crammed full of dresses I love.

small text at bottom

The doll used in this article is one-of-a-kind custom made SD (Super Dollfie) by Closet Freak. For information about the MiniSD head and “Sakura” body used for the base of the doll, please contact Volks. Super Dollfie is a registered trademark of VOLKS inc. all rights reserved.

Original Japanese

私と彼女と旅するドール
MINI SD * Closet Freak
あの別荘で彼女と一緒に休日を過ごすために、私はお気に入りのトランクで旅に出る。大好きなドレスを詁め込んで…

この記事に使用しているSDはCloset Freakのこ個人的なカスタム作品です。ベースに使用しているミニSD健ヘッド・サクラボディについいぇのお問い合わせはボークスへお願いします。

Scan 1

In olden days, young ladies would travel with the dolls they loved. We created a trunk the likes of which the children from good families of the early 20th century would use for their own beloved dolls. So that no matter where they went, their dolls would be with them. When they left for their holiday villa, their dolls would also have their collection of party clothing, play clothes, undergarments, favourite clothing, stuffed animals, toys, and toiletries same way their owners would. The trunk the doll was in would also have a closet, a dresser, and a comfortable bed to relax in. It was with this image in mind that a wood grain box was decided on and then decorated with a drawing of a bird and antique beads. So, when on vacation how does the beloved doll of our young lady spend her time do you suppose? Shall we sneak a peek and see?

古き良き時代、小さな淑女達は大好きなお人形と共に旅に出る。20世紀初頭、良家の子女たちに愛されたお人形をイメージしてトランクを制作しました。お人形はどこへ行くにも、きっと一緒だったはず。別荘へ出かけるときは、ー持ち主である女の子と同じようにパーティー服や遊び着、ネグリジェなどお気に入りの服と、ぬいぐるみ、おもちゃやお化粧道具まで揃えて出かけたことでしょう。お人形を入れるトランクはクローゼットであり、ドレッサーであり、心地よく安らぐベッドでもあります。そんなイメージから木目調でまとめ、表面には鳥の絵を描きアンティークビーズで彩りました。さて、小さな淑女 に愛されるお人形の休日、どうやって過ぎていくのでしょう。少し、のぞいてみましょうか?

My notes:
This style of doll trunk is getting closer to what inspires me. It’s part storage and part doll living environment.

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Dolly * Dolly Vol.4 Ryo Hada doll trunk.

Back in America print and magazines are languishing but in Japan there’s a magazine for everything.

There is even a four-times a year Bellydance Japan magazine… and I contributed heavily to their MOOK about how to create bellydance costumes.

So, it was a dangerous discovery when I realized I could buy used copies of old “Dolly * Dolly” ドーリィ*ドーリィ magazine/books (colloquially called MOOK) on Amazon Jp. It contains doll reviews, how-to articles on constructing doll items, doll clothing patterns, and various features about different aspects of doll life.

And Dolly Dolly Vol.4 from 2004 had multiple articles on doll trunks so I started justifying purchases there.

Disclaimer: I do not have a scanner at home. These scans were done at my local convenience store when I was tired, which is why some areas of the page are cut off.

I am also not a translator. I’m doing this for my Japanese practice but my Japanese translation style is more “getting the jist of it” than it is “accurate”… so if you have feedback please present it with kindness. I want to learn more but I don’t wish to be scared off.

The first article features work and an introduction by doll artist Ryo Hada. I can’t find much on 波田亮 . The listed web page https://www.ryo-hada.com seems to be out of commission. It seems they also go by the name Aquirax Kuroda now and create a lot of cat-related art.

Original Japanese text follows English.

Dream doll trunk

“There is a story about the marten’s pelt attached to this overcoat”

“There’s also a trunk, let’s open it and see”

What came from within were various doll costumes so resplendent they dazzled the eyes.

Dance clothing, walking clothing, tea time outfits, items trimmed in green lace and silk stockings! And then chokers, muffs, gloves, hats and lace fans and such!

The above quote is attributed to Frances Burnette, translation into Japanese by Ayame Mizushima, from the 7th chapter of A Little Princess published by blah blah blah (sorry)

It’s a famous scene from ”A Little Princess”, which I’ve ecstatically read time and time again since I was a young girl.

More than the story of Sarah Crewe, the generous protagonist of high birth by chance, or the scene in which Sarah gets her famous doll Emily, I was enraptured by the doll present itself.

The elegantly shimmering silk cape, the meticulously folded skirt with its hemmed pleats and petticoat edged with lace shipped from France. To be spellbound by a trunk packed to the brim with precisely made clothing and accessories, all miniature sized.

And there’s also our small friend’s wardrobe, and there’s a room, and there’s a secret universe all amazingly packed tightly into this dream doll trunk. Even now as a grown up, it thrills the deepest reaches of my brain.

It can honestly be said this is an homage to A Little Princess.

(Smaller Blurb)

Magic of Antique Doll Unsolved magic

Doll artist, Ryo Hada’s runk case is a two tiered construction. The lower section has a set place for the doll: neck, waist, arms and legs are secured. First of all, the size of the doll determines what sort of basket is proper, various sizes of dolls will affect construction methods. (The pictures doll is approximately 40cm)

夢のお人形トランク

「外套には、物語の貂の毛皮がついているわ」

「トランクもあるわ、開けてみましょう」

中から出たのは、目もまばゆほどにきらびやかな、おにんぎょうの衣装

の、かずかずだった。ダンス服、散歩服、お茶時の服、レースの緑飾りや、絹のくつ下。それから首飾りや、ムッフや、手ぶくろや、帽子や扇やー。

(バーネット作・水島あやめ訳大日本雄弁会講談社世界名作全集第7巻『小公女』より)

小さいな女子の頃から、繰り返し読んではうっとりいた、「小公女」の名シーンである。

主人公セーラ・クルーの誇り高い心や素敵な偶然に支配されたストーリーよりも、セーラと有名彼女のお人形、エミリーの出会いの場面や、このめくるめくお人形プレゼントに心惹かれた。

上品に光るシルクのケープや丁寧にたたまれたスカートの裾のプリーツにフランス渡りのレースのペティコート。。。ミニチュアサイズで呆れるほどきちんとつくりこまれている小物やお人形のお洋服がギッシリ詰まったトランク。

小さな友だちのワードローブでもあり、お部屋でもあり、秘密の宇宙でもあった「うっとり」がぎゅうぎゅうに詰まった夢のお人形トランク。大人になった今も、脳味噌の奥が痺れてしまう。バーネット夫人は「小公女」によって多くの女の子に人形への果てしない物欲を覚えさせてしまったに違いない。

この特集は実を言うと「小公女」へのオマージュである。

Magic of Antique Doll 解けない魔法

人形作家波田あきらのトランクケースに重構造

底の部分に人形がセットされ、首・ウェスト・手・足が固定されます。まず程よいバスケットを用意してからお人形のサイズを決めるため、作品によってお人形の大きさはまちまちだとか。(このお人形のさいず:約40cm)

 

Description of the outfit with the apron and head cover

Commonly sold lace was too thick so I ordered some lace to be specially made abroad for the trim on this traditional French costume.

一般に販売されているレースで厚すぎるので海外の工場に頼んで特別つくってもらってというレースをあしらった、フランスの民族衣裳。

Main description of the work shown.

Magic of Antique Doll, Unsolved Magic.

Doll Creation

Written by Ryo Hada

From grandmother to mother to daughter, European antique dolls have been handed down for generations. Within this doll trunk are dresses from various eras as if to give an impression of the history of clothing. It’s this sort of essence of antique dolls that artist Namda is trying to create in their doll trunks. The doll begins with a traditional French peasant costume and goes until 1980’s era inspired clothing with her 5 outfit set, the sort of doll that would be treasured in any European home. Making it a trunk set that passes beyond its eras and onward into timelessness/eternity

Magic of Antique Doll 解けない魔法

創作人形

By Ryo Hada

祖母・母・娘へと代々受け継がれているヨーロッパのアンティークドール。そのトランクケースの中にはそれぞれの時代につくられたドレスが入っていて、まるで服飾史をたどるよな感覚だといいます。そんなアンティークドールのエッセンスをもらって製作しているという波田さんのトランクケース。オールビスクのお人形ち実際にフランスにあった民族衣装からはじまる1980年代ぐらいまでの衣装のイメージしたドレス5着がセットされ、本当にどこかのヨーロップのお家で大事にされてきたもののよう。「時代」を超える魔法が永遠にかかっている、そんなトランクセットになっています。

Under photo of the yellow dress:

From 1860’s-1870’s inspired fashion comes this day dress for traveling, a straw hat, parasol, and suitcase are included with the look.

1860年~70年ぐらいに旅行ったデイドレス風ファッション。表わら帽子や日傘、トランクもちゃんとセットさせれている。

Under the photo of the outfit with fur muff:

A hat completes the cute coat in this Twiggy-evoking look. It’s a taste of the 1970’s in this ensemble for going out.

帽子とお揃うのキュートなコートはちょっぴりツイギーを意識して。1970年代のテイストをちりばめたお出かけ着。

(Right hand text)

Nice to meet you. First, please give me a name.

Ryo Hada’s doll has not yet been given a name. The reason is because “I believe that the doll is completed only when the person who has purchased the doll has given it a name .” These aren’t just decorations or disposable items. Position them in a central location “ so you can continue to get the most out of them through playing.” If they spend their days being loved they become exceptional special dolls.

In the left hand corner of the page there is an additional blurb about awards given to and exhibitions including Ryo Hada from 1996-2004 but I was tired so I’m ending it here for today.

はじめましてまずは私に名前をつけてください。

波田さんのお人形には名前がつけられていません。なぜなら「買われた方が名前を付けてはじめて人形が完成すると思っています。」飾りっぱなしではなく、かといって使い捨てでもない。そのちょうど中間に位置する。「遊びの中で生かされ続ける人形」だからこそ。時代を超えて愛される、特別なお人形になるのでしう。

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