Jenny(ジェニー,Jenī)is a 10½ inchfashion dollproduced by Takara (the Japanese toy company now known asTakara Tomy) since 1982. The doll was known asTakara Barbie,and in 1986 the doll was renamed "Jenny" after Takara ended their licensing agreement withMattel.[1]Takara Barbie differs from a western Barbie. Takara Barbie was altered to better appeal to Japanese preferences, with a shorter height, large roundedmanga-style eyes and a closed mouth. Like her Western counterpart, Jenny wears a large variety of outfits, which often includestreet fashion,school uniforms,kimono,[2]and other uniquely Japanese costumes, such as "Bullet-Train Stewardess Jenny".[3]
Name
editPrior to 1986, the doll was known asTakara Barbie.In 1986 Takara ended their licensing agreement withMattel,and, as they owned the rights over the Takara Barbie's design, came up with a new name for the doll.[4]The explanation given for the name change was thatJennywas the name of a characterBarbieportrayed in a play, also titledJenny.The play was a success and Barbie had become so associated with her character's name that she decided to change it to Jenny.[5]Jenny's boyfriend was renamed from "Takara Ken" to "Jeff".[4]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^Pollack, Andrew; "Barbie's Journey in Japan;" New York Times; December 22, 1996;
- ^"Jenny Style: A Takara Jenny Fansite".www.revolutionarygirl.com.Archived fromthe originalon June 10, 2007.
- ^"Takara Jenny Dolls".Archived fromthe originalon 2012-02-18.Retrieved2007-06-20.
- ^abJapan's Jenny: Takara's Trend Setting Fashion Doll
- ^"Introducing Takara's Jenny" by David Hammon, Barbie Bazaar, January/February 1995 Issue
Further reading
edit
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