Mrs.
Allie Scott introduced me to Mrs. Judy Clary at the recent art show and
told me something about her doll collection, and insisted that I should
see it. It was my pleasure to have a nice long visit in the Clary home
recently. I found their collection of art objects very large and
interesting, and so was the story of their lives.
The
Clarys moved from Reno, Nevada, a little over two years ago, and are
living in the new brick home at 817 S. Bell. Gene is the laboratory and
X-ray technician at the
Hamilton
Hospital
.
During
the Korean conflict, Gene was stationed with an army hospital in
Japan
. The USO and other organizations would sponsor dances and other social
events, and the Japanese girls who were working for army personnel were
permitted to attend.
It
was at such a function that Gene met this pretty, young Mineko Kosaka.
Mineko could speak very few words of English and Gene could do no better
in Japanese, but when a lonesome man meets a lonesome young lady like
Mineko, you don’t need many words to have a warm communication.
Let’s
call her Judy from now on, Judy was working in the home of a Staff
Sergeant Williams at the time and would attend functions with them.
Incidentally, the Williamses, who are now living in
Iowa
, came to
Hamilton
recently and visited with the Clarys.
Sometime
after their marriage which took place at the American Consulate in 1953,
the Clarys were transferred to
Bangkok
,
Thailand
, and here is where Judy began her hobby of making Japanese dolls.
Dolls
are not thought of as toys so much in
Japan
as we think of them here, but as a way of expressing and preserving
their culture and way of life. Perhaps the most beautiful dress or
kimono a Japanese girl will ever have will be her wedding kimono. Hours
and hours of hand embroidery on beautiful silks go into its making. The
bride must also have a separate kimono for the reception. These are the
type dresses that some of Judy’s dolls are wearing.
Here
in
America
we have the tradition of a bride wearing something old, something new,
something borrowed, something blue. The Japanese have their customs
also. Note the wide white hat on the bride; if she has had any thoughts
of jealousy that would cause her to sprout some devilish horns, the hat
will cover them. Brides traditionally have a little case or pouch on
their chest where they can carry a little knife for protection. Japanese
also believe it is better to take your own life than to cause great
disgrace or embarrassment to your people, so the knife has been known to
be used to commit hara-kiri. The bride also carries a beautiful
hand-painted fan at the wedding.
Another
custom they have is for the bride’s family to bear all the expenses of
getting the girl married and the buying of furniture and the setting
them up for housekeeping. Judy said that the saying in
Japan
is that if you have as many as three daughters, you will be bankrupt.
Judy
has also made two geisha girl dolls. The customs of
Japan
do not permit the public attendance of young girls at dances and other
social gatherings as we do here. Geishas are young ladies who are hired
as professional entertainers at social functions. The one shown here is
holding a three string guitar that she uses in entertaining.
The
Japanese also make beautiful dolls in ceramics. In the early 1600s, a
craftsman who was skilled in making ornamental tile, was making tile for
a castle. He had some mud left over and from it he made a doll that he
presented to his lord. It had such delicacy and charm, requests came
from many others for one of the dolls. Thus was born an industry that
has lasted until the present day. The dolls are often referred to as
Hakata dolls.
Judy
has some nieces who have married lately, and they sent some of their
wedding pictures to the Clarys. They are shown in their wedding kimonos
and also the reception kimonos. The pictures are of such high quality
color, in sharpness and in clarity, that one can see the stitches in the
beautiful hand embroidery.
One
can almost say that Gene was coming home when he came to
Hamilton
. His father taught school for many years in Turnersville and
Gatesville.
Gene
got nearly all of his elementary and high school education at
Turnersville. He entered military service soon after finishing high
school and has been stationed in many places of the world. The Clarys
have accumulated many interesting objects in their years of travel, and
it is hoped that these pieces of art may be placed on display in some
store window soon.
The
Clarys have two children: William is a pilot in the Air Force and a
daughter, June, who lives in
Reno
.
Gene
and Judy are regular worshippers at the First Presbyterian Church here.
One might say that they are a Presbyterian family; he has two brothers
and a sister-in-law who are Presbyterian ministers.
Shared by Roy
Ables
ACROSS THE FENCE
