Hinamatsuri, or Girls Day or Festival of Dolls. This holiday is celebrated in Japan on the third day of the third month (Boys Day falls on the fifth day of the fifth month). Its roots are placed back to the ancient custom called hina-nagashi, or Doll Floating where people would float dolls down the river to carry away the bad spirits.
I love paper, so I made paper versions of the doll display for each of the girls to keep.
Happy Hinamasturi!
Today, families display their heirloom dolls depicting the royal Heian court on a special red lacquered tiered platform, starting with the Emperor and Empress on the top tier shelf and going down to the various ladies in waiting, musicians, samurai on the following tiers.
Little girls celebrate Hinamatsuri by having a party of delicious Japanese treats and drink and "offering" it to the dolls. Japanese bakeries will offer special Hinamatsuri treats during this time, like special manju and cakes (with a lot of pink!).
On Saturday, one of my daughter's former preschool friends hosted a Girls Day celebration at her house. Her mom and grandmother prepared a delicious spread of pastel-colorfed manju (sweet rice cakes), sushi, miso soup, and other Japanese yummies. I made nigiri, rice balls in heart, bear, and star shapes seasoned with sesame seeds and nori.
For dessert was the super cute Girls Day cake topped with candy versions of the Emperor and Empress.
One of the girls' mother shared her tiny Hina Doll set, a miniature version of the top tier with the Emperor (left) and Empress (Right). Super cute!
