Girls' Day

March Third was ひなまつり or "Girls` Day" or "Doll Festival Day". We were invited to celebrate the holiday at the home of my supervisor, who has an 8-year-old daughter. I hope she felt like a princess!

You can read a bit about the tradition here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinamatsuri

The Feast, with lots of pink-colored food! I read somewhere that the pink color symbolizes a girl`s first menstruation, but now with greater research I can find nothing confirming this idea. The pink foods also symbolize the spring blossoms blessing southern Japan this month.


Dolls of the emperor and empress are displayed. Traditionally the dolls were understood to posses bad spirits, and were sent downriver in a basket at the conclusion of the holiday. Now the dolls are taken off from display immediately after the meal. If parents delay putting the dolls away, it is thought that their daughter might marry later in life. Perish the thought!

The Empress Doll. Note the anatomically-suggestive folds of her dress.


The Emperor Doll. Note the anatomically-suggestive sword and hat.


The Lady of the Evening, with a special ikebana arrangement made for her by yours truly.