Amidst the turmoil and restlessness in the world, it is a lovely idea to stow away in a secret garden of lanterns...to celebrate life, to be in the moment with your best loved ones, your sisters, and to make a wish upon a lantern...A wish for peace, harmony and love amongst all peoples of this Earth.
If you read the previous blog about a Wish Upon a Lantern, you'll know that this is a sequel to the story of the three sisters of the Orient.
The creation of sisters, Aki and Rantan, was inspired by so many things. Hence, their existence represents and means a lot. All things Japanese were inspired by one little Japanese girl's birthday and a custom doll created just for her as requested by her sweet grandmother. All things lantern were inspired by Southeast Asia's recent celebration of the Autumn Festival (aka Moon Festival).
In 2016, the Mid-Autumn Festival was on September 15. During the festivals, which is to welcome the Autumn, thousands of lanterns are set ablaze floating upward into the moonlit night sky or downward into the ebb of a moonlit river. Traditionally, lanterns signified wishes for health, harmony or longevity. Lantern festivities are a sight to behold and I do dare to dream that one day, I will travel with my children back to my homeland country of Vietnam and experience this magical event with them.
We live in an interesting age. Amidst these times of chaos and uncertainty in the world, there is always a place for hope that humanity can rise out of the smoldering ruins that are caused by hatred and anger and restore unto itself a place filled...
...not with hate, but with love
...not with greed, but with generosity
...not with power, but with empowerment
...not with fear, but with courage
...not with conflict, but with unity...
...A place where people of all colors, all faiths and all backgrounds can be as one and live in harmony. This is the wish from these sisters...their wish upon a lantern...a wish for the world to be at peace with itself.
This month, Aki and Rantan will join Dollectable to represent the group of multi-nationals to promote harmony and peace for all.
AKI
Aki is a 6" Wee-Bee Mini Elfcup. She is made from 100% cotton interlock. Her dark soft locks are made of wefted 100% suri alpaca and can be lightly styled. Her facial structure is lightly sculpted. Her eyes and lips are embroidered with 100% cotton floss. Her cheeks, lips, nose and various body parts are blushed with red beeswax.
Aki comes wearing a wee-tiny kimono made with a beautiful 100% cotton floral fabric and 100% cotton bias at the neckline. The kimono is wrapped at the waist with an obi made from 100% linen and cotton. The obi is secured with two nickel-plated brass snap buttons on the back. Underneath, she wears a set of tiny bloomers matching her kimono.
On her feet, Aki wears a simple pair of sandals made from a hand-dyed Kakishibu 100% silk yarn crocheted lining and matching fabric straps stitched to soles made of 100% Belgian wool felt.
RANTAN
Rantan is a 6" Wee-Bee Mini Elfcup. She is made from 100% cotton interlock. Her dark soft bobs are made of wefted 100% suri alpaca. Her facial structure is lightly sculpted. Her eyes and lips are embroidered with 100% cotton floss. Her cheeks, lips, nose and various body parts are blushed with red beeswax.
Rantan comes wearing a wee-tiny kimono made with a beautiful 100% cotton floral fabric and 100% cotton bias at the neckline. The kimono is wrapped at the waist with an obi made from 100% cotton. The obi is secured with two nickel-plated brass snap buttons on the back. Underneath, she wears a set of tiny bloomers matching her kimono.
On her feet, Rantan wears a simple pair of sandals made from a hand-dyed Kakishibu 100% silk yarn crocheted lining and matching fabric straps stitched to soles made of 100% Belgian wool felt.
Lastly, and most importantly, both sisters carry a special lantern...for making wishes come true. Their lanterns are made from 100% cotton. Lighting the lanterns from inside is a brand new, tea light wrapped very securely in 100% cotton fabric and 100% Belgian wool felt. A tiny opening is left at the top of the lanterns to switch it on and off. The lanterns' design was inspired by the physalis alkekengi (or Japanese lantern plant) itself.
Aki and Rantan, two sisters stowing away in a secret garden of lanterns to wish upon the Earth peace and harmony. If you are interested in bringing home the celebration of Autumn, beautiful lantern wishes and a piece of harmony for the world, you can find Aki and Rantan in their secret garden celebrating with all the other friends tonight, October 1, 2016 at 7:00 PM (EST) at Dollectable.
