SHINTO, Gunma Prefecture--A display of 7,045 handmade dolls in a shop here has been certified by the Guinness World Records as the world’s largest.
SHINTO, Gunma Prefecture--A display of 7,045 handmade dolls in a shop here has been certified by the Guinness World Records as the world’s largest.
The Chikyuya store issued a national appeal last August in response to the March 11 disaster, asking people to send in dolls for a display intended to symbolize support for reconstruction.
It said 853 people responded. Among the doll makers were victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake from Fukushima Prefecture who were evacuated to Gunma and attended workshops held by Chikyuya that taught skills to make dolls out of crepe silk.
About 200 dolls were sent by residents of Fukushima Prefecture who learned about the project from others who had returned to their homes.
The dolls are now suspended from 7.5-meter-long strings, 211 in all, suspended from the ceiling of the store. They comprise 60 types, including baby dolls to pray for children’s health and cranes and turtles symbolizing long life.
Chikyuya's president, Ukon Suzumura, 52, said: “I hope the disaster victims will feel proud that they are part of the world’s biggest display of handmade dolls, and that this will help encourage reconstruction.”