Yuki Atae, one of Japan's most prominent doll makers, creates unique figures out of fabric -- many of them depicting Japanese children from the early 20th century -- not just for kids but for adults who may have forgotten their childhood days.
His dolls are now traveling around Japan in a series of exhibitions that will last through January 2008.
The tour began in March at a gallery in the Matsuya department store in Tokyo's Ginza shopping district, where it attracted hordes of mostly middle-aged women. There was a long line of people waiting to get in. At one point the line stretched from the event site on the eighth floor all the way to the first floor and out on to the street.