Museum's 82-year-old friendship doll to make homecoming visit to Japan

For the first time in over 20 years, Miss Mie, the 82-year-old Japanese "friendship doll" now in the University of Nebraska State Museum's anthropology collection, will return to her original home in Japan. On July 31, the historic and beautifully crafted doll will be escorted to Tsu City in Mie Prefecture in south-central Japan to undergo conservation work and to participate in various homecoming celebrations before returning to the museum in 2010.

Miss Mie has been at the museum since 1928. The doll first arrived in the United States in 1927 when 58 friendship dolls were sent to the United States as gifts to American children from the children of Japan, intended as a gesture of goodwill. Japanese children received Blue Eyed Dolls in exchange. Small groups of these "goodwill ambassadors" traveled to 479 cities throughout the country that year. After the tour, some of the dolls found homes in museums and other institutions throughout the United States, including the NU State Museum.

Miss Mie, along with her intricate collection of traveling accessories, will be escorted by Susan Curtis, the museum's anthropology collections assistant. Curtis will also coordinate the loan of more than 150 friendship letters written by the Japanese schoolchildren who participated in the friendship doll exchange. The letters will be translated into English and an effort has already begun to locate the original authors and their family members.

In September 2008, the 80th anniversary of Miss Mie's arrival in Nebraska, Japanese members of the Committee for Miss Mie Homecoming visited Lincoln to see the doll, examine the letters and make arrangements for her visit. The committee plans to use Miss Mie's return to Japan as a way to educate children about the history and purpose of the gift exchange, as well as the craftsmanship that went into making the dolls.

Japanese artisans will perform much-needed conservation work on the doll to ensure that she will be well-preserved for future generations to enjoy.

"Miss Mie's complexion is made from a layer of crushed oyster shell," Curtis said. "Over the years, this layer has developed cracks which make the doll too fragile to study or exhibit. We are grateful to the committee for arranging to have Miss Mie assessed and repaired by one of Japan's talented doll conservators, so that she may continue to be an important part of the museum's collection."

In addition to receiving conservation care, the doll will be the center of various homecoming events organized by the committee, including a visit to the Governor of the Mie Prefecture and exhibitions in 10 cities across the region.

This homecoming is part of an ongoing commitment by the NU State Museum and the Mie delegation to continue a friendship that started generations ago. Priscilla Grew, director of the NU State Museum, said she is pleased about Miss Mie's return to Japan.

"During today's time of economic turmoil and uncertainty, Miss Mie remains a symbol of enduring kindness and optimism in the hearts of our children," Grew said. "It is a pleasure to know that she will be returning home to continue spreading her message of peace and friendship with the children of Mie. It has been an honor to display her in our collection -- and this homecoming visit serves to enhance our special relationship with the citizens of Mie."

Curtis will return to Lincoln Aug. 7, but Miss Mie and the letters will remain in Japan until June. The museum plans to have a special exhibit for the doll in Nebraska after her conservation work is complete.

The NU State Museum of Natural History in Morrill Hall, south of 14th and Vine streets, is open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday and Friday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursdays, and 1:30-4:30 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $5 for adults (19 and over), $3 for children (5-18 years, 4 and under are free), and $10 for families (up to two adults and children). There is an additional charge for planetarium shows. Parking is free. For more information, call (402) 472-2642 or visit www.museum.unl.edu. For more information on Mueller Planetarium, call 472-2641 visit www.spacelaser.com.