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A mystery has been unraveled for U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Caroline Kennedy, who has been searching for the sender of a set of Japanese hina dolls that were sent 53 years ago to her father, U.S. President John F. Kennedy.

For years the identity of the sender had remained unknown. But on Feb. 6 it was learned that they had been sent by 92-year-old Tsuyako Matsumoto, who had exchanged letters with him while in her 30s.

The year before President Kennedy was assassinated, she sent him the set of 15 hina dolls to thank him for replying to her letter. Caroline has fond memories of playing with the dolls as a child and now displays them in her Tokyo residence.

For a thousand years, the Japanese people have celebrated a special day on March 3 called Hinamatsuri (Doll's Day or Girls' Day). Platforms are covered with red cloth and used to display a set of ornamental dolls representing the Emperor, Empress, attendants, and musicians in traditional court dress of the Heian period.

(READ the story from Asahi.com)

Photo credit: Nesnad (CC license) / Story tip from Janet Pearlman