In the mid 1920s, when relations between Japan and the U.S. were worsening, a  pro-Japanese missionary named Sidney Gulick proposed sending dolls to Japanese schools for the purpose of Japanese-American  friendship. About 12,000 dolls, called "Blue-eyed Dolls," were given by America with the hope of peace and friendship.

In 1927, the Blue-eyed Dolls were given to schools throughout Japan, but later many of these dolls were destroyed as "enemy dolls" during World War II. Now less than 300 dolls exist in the entire country.

A Blue-eyed Doll was given also to Kawamata Town, where there was a relationship with the U.S. based on the export of silk textiles since before 1900. The Blue-eyed Doll named Dorothy, who miraculously survived the war, is kept at Kawamata Elementary School.

The current Blue-eyed Doll Exhibition has a display of  these valuable Blue-eyed Dolls remaining in Fukushima Prefecture. We want to recognize again the importance of peace and friendship.