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Dr. Sidney Lewis Gulick (1860-1945) was an American
missionary. Beginning in 1888, after graduating from
Columbia Theological Seminary, he worked for 25 years in
Matsuyama, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. During his time
there, he grew to understand and appreciate Japanese
culture, and he became fluent in reading, writing, and
speaking the Japanese language.
Poor health necessitated Dr. Gulick's return in 1913 to the
United States, where he found both American attitudes
toward Japan and conditions between the two countries
worsening steadily. Japan suffered an economic depression
before the Great Depression hit the United States, and many
Americans were concerned about labor and economic problems
that might result if large numbers of Japanese, fleeing
conditions at home, were to come to America. Several
Immigration laws passed between 1907 and 1924 made it
virtually impossible for Japanese to enter the United
States.1
Dr. Gulick continued to work throughout his life for better
understanding and acceptance of Japan and its people
through writing and lectures. As quoted by his grandson,
Sidney Gulick III, he wrote: "I am as truly a missionary
working for Japan as if I were in Japan.2"
Since adult sentiments were so difficult to change in the
face of the circumstances, he was encouraged by the idea
that children could be brought together in goodwill and
friendship before their attitudes became hardened. With
this beginning, perhaps as adults they would be able to
build better relationships among nations based on
understanding and peace. Dr. Gulick was one of the
founders of the Committee on World Friendship Among
Children, and he conceived the friendship doll exchange
as one way to bring the children of America and Japan
closer together3.
Sidney Lewis Gulick III is the grandson of Dr. Sidney L. Gulick.
After taking 2 new dolls to a school in Kyoto, Sidney
Gulick III said "By the expressions of excitement and love
on the faces of the children as they received and held the
new dolls, we knew immediately that we should begin a new
doll mission.4" Sidney Gulick III and his wife,
Frances, believe that it is still important to promote
international understanding, and to that end, since 1986,
they have carried on the tradition, continuing to send
friendship dolls to schools in Japan, with passports,
letters of introduction, and clothing and accessories made
by Mrs. Gulick.
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