Hina Matsuri
One unmistakeable feature of early springtime in Japan are the abundance of Hina dolls. Hina dolls are, in essence, an Emperor and Empress in their imperial garb. They can be (and are) made of pretty much anything, and can be as simple or elaborate as one desires. Some Hina setups come with a whole court-worth of figures, while others are just the Emperor and Empress. The particularly fine sets are passed down through generations of women, and are generally included in bridal trousseaux. They are brought out early in the year in honor of Hina Matsuri, the Doll Festival, which is celebrated on March 3rd. Hina Matsuri is a day when families pray for the health and happiness of their daughters. The girls of the household offer colorful puffed rice (Hina Arare), rice cakes (Hishimochi), sushi, and sake to the dolls.
I had no idea that today was Hina Matsuri until I got to my shamisen lesson. Ishikawa-sensei usually has some tea sitting out, but today he had a bunch of Hina Arare, mochi (pounded rice filled with sweet red beans), and other okashi (Japanese munchies) out as well. He made sure I had tea and mochi during the lesson and dumped a few handfuls of okashi and arare into my purse. When I got home I placed the sweets and the Hina dolls that Kuroda-san bought me last week during an excursion to Tokyo on top of the wall hanging I bought depicting a Hina Matsuri scene. (Hey, I have a weakness for thinks kawaii.)
When I was done admiring the adorableness of it all, I dutifully put everything away and started to work on the sweets. After all, it's bad luck to keep the Hina dolls out past the third, or I could end up in a truly woeful situation: being an old maid.
I had no idea that today was Hina Matsuri until I got to my shamisen lesson. Ishikawa-sensei usually has some tea sitting out, but today he had a bunch of Hina Arare, mochi (pounded rice filled with sweet red beans), and other okashi (Japanese munchies) out as well. He made sure I had tea and mochi during the lesson and dumped a few handfuls of okashi and arare into my purse. When I got home I placed the sweets and the Hina dolls that Kuroda-san bought me last week during an excursion to Tokyo on top of the wall hanging I bought depicting a Hina Matsuri scene. (Hey, I have a weakness for thinks kawaii.)
When I was done admiring the adorableness of it all, I dutifully put everything away and started to work on the sweets. After all, it's bad luck to keep the Hina dolls out past the third, or I could end up in a truly woeful situation: being an old maid.