Miss Ibaraki

Original Name:
Miss Tochigi
Personal Name:
Tsukuba Kasumi
Artist:
Takizawa Kōryūsai II
Location:
Public Museum
City:
Milwaukee
State:
Wisconsin

Miss Ibaraki is by the artist Takizawa Kōryūsai II. Her personal name is Tsukuba Kasumi and her kimono crest is the karabana Chinese bellflower.

She arrived in Wisconsin in November of 1928, and after briefly touring the state, she was put on display at her new home at the Public Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where she resides today.

She retains her original ship ticket and passport, and a nearly complete set of accessories, but containing pieces originally designed for Miss Nagasaki. Her parasol, as well, reads “Nagasaki.” She also has a duplicate kyōdai make-up chest.

In 2007 the Public Museum began a series of interactive video conferencing programs connecting Miss Ibaraki with other museums and their friendship dolls. The programming reached over 1,500 children who were able to not only meet their local doll and hear her story, but also to virtually visit other dolls and learn more about their individual histories.

In 2011 in response to the Fukushima earthquake, Miss Ibaraki was placed on display and patrons were asked to write haiku poems in support of those in Japan impacted by the disaster. These were then compiled into a book and sent to the Governor of Ibaraki Prefecture as a testament to the strong feelings of friendship and goodwill that still exist between the people of Wisconsin and Ibaraki Prefecture.

Through archival images she has been identified as the original Miss Tochigi.

Kimono crest:
Karabana (Chinese Bellflower)
Dogu (furnishing) crest:
Top: Botan (Peony) Bottom: Yamazakura (Mountain Cherry)
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