BARBIE HAPPY NEW YEAR BARBIE 2ND IN LTD ED. SERIES 1996

 YOU ARE BIDDING ON A SECOND IN A LIMITED EDITION SERIES.  THIS IS HAPPY NEW YEAR BARBIE AKEMASHITE OMEDETO GOZAIMASU) MEANING HAPPY NEW YEAR.   PUT OUT BY MATTEL IN 1996 BARBIE IS STUNNING IN HER PINK AND GOLDEN KIMONO.  IN JAPAN THERE IS NO OTHER HOLIDAY AS SPECIAL AND AS FILLED WITH SYMBOLISM AS THE JAPANESE NEW YEAR.  ALTHOUGH A CELEBRATION OF THE COMING OF SPRING, ON JANUARY 1, SPRING IS STILL SEVERAL MONTHS AWAY.  EXCITEMENT BUILDS ALL OVER JAPAN FROM CITIES TO VILLAGES AS PREPARATIONS ARE MADE FOR THE NEW YEAR FESTIVITIES.  EVERYTHING LEADS UP TO WELCOMING THE TOSHIGAMA, THE GOD OF THE YEAR, TO SPEND THE FIRST THREE DAYS OF THE NEW YEAR WITH EVERY FAMILY.  ONE OF THE MANY RITUALS INCLUDES THE PREPARATION OF KAGAMI MOCHI, STEAMED POUNDED SWEET RICE THAT IS FORMED INTO TWO CAKES - THE RICE'S ELASTICITY REPRESENTS STRENGTH ANAD LONGETIVITY, ITS WHITE COLOR SUGGESTS PURITY.  ADDITIONAL DECORATIONS MAY BE ADDED TO THE CAKES - A SINGLE BITTER ORANGE TO SUGGEST LONGEVITY., A PAPER FAN TO SUGGEST THE OPENING OF A NEW YEAR.   THE CHERRY BLOSSOM PATTERN ON BARBIE DOLL'S KIMONO ALSO HAS A SPECIAL MEANING.  THE NATIONAL FLOWER OF JAPAN, THE CHERRY BLOSSOM IS ALSO A SYMBOL THE THE NEW YEAR AND HAS BEEN FAVORED BY THE JAPANESE PEOPLE FOR MANY DECADES.    THIS IS NEW, TH BOX DOES SHOW SLIGHT WEAR /  THE FLAPS AT THE TOP HAVE BEEN TAPED BUT DOLL HAS NEVER BEEN REMOVED FROM BOX AND EXCEPT FOR THAT BOX IS VERY GOOD CONDITION.    .    INSURANCE IS $1.70 FOR UP TO $50.00 VALUE. OVER $51.00 INSURANCE IS $2.15.    MAYBE A START TO A NEW COLLECTION OR TIME TO ADD TO YOUR PRE-EXISTING COLLECTION. SHIPPING IS CALCULATED BY BUYER LOCATION AND SHIPPING WEIGHT. INTERNATIONAL BIDDERS PLEASE EMAIL ME FOR SHIPPING CHARGES TO YOUR COUNTRY.I TAKE GREAT CARE IN PACKAGING BUT WOULD ADVISE INSURANCE. I WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR LOST OR DAMAGED ITEMS IF PACKAGE IS NOT INSURED. PLEASE, ONLY BID IF YOU INTEND TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH AUCTION. PAYMENT MUST BE RECEIVED WITHIN 7 DAYS OF AUCTION END. PAYMENTS ONLY ACCEPTED THROUGH PAYPAL. I DO COMBINE AUCTIONS TO SAVE YOU ON SHIPPING. THANKS FOR LOOKING AND HAVE A GOOD DAY.