If you don’t already know it, March 3 is Girls Day in Japan. In Japanese it is Hinamatsuri. Sadly, it is not a day that Keiko has had any connection with as she has just one son and it is a celebration for daughters and granddaughters. Maybe someday her son will marry and she’ll have a granddaughter. But for now she’s happy because she considers Katrina and Peter’s daughter to be like her own granddaughter. And this year will be little Sakura’s first Hinamatsuri. Of course there is a word for that. It’s called Hatsu Sekku or “first seasonal festival.”
On this occasion it used to be traditional to bring gifts to the neighbors. Maybe some sekihan or red bean rice. Or it could just be some traditional sweets. And yes, you’re reading this correctly. The family gives gifts rather than receiving them!
Doll sets range from huge and luxurious ones that costs thousands of dollars or yen. But you could also make your own set from origami paper. These days the dolls are often cats or rabbits. Needless to say, Keiko is NOT a fan and thinks it unnecessary to infantilize or animalize the dolls.
She doesn’t want to go overboard, but she wants little Sakura to have a nice set of dolls. Which would you choose?
First Keiko went to a store she knew in Kyoto. This is what she found.
Too big and too expensive! She reluctantly turned to the internet and found these. And hundreds more!
She started to have a headache. And in the end she couldn’t decide at all. Maybe the new shop down the street would have something…. You could always count on Teramachi Street!
- Hina arare – a special treat for the day. Note the colors. So sweet! Tastes like sweet rice crispies.
- Chirashizushi – a kind of sushi and other food for Girl’s Day.
- Nagashibina – a special event for Girl’s Day where dolls are floated in the water.
- Everything you ever wanted to know and see about this special day from Girls Museum which is a very cool website!
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