The Doll Festival, Hinamatsuri, is held on March 3 in Japan. It's a day that families celebrate young girls and pray for their growth. In the days leading up to Hinamatsuri, a red stair platform that holds several special dolls (called hinaningyo) is on display in homes. The dolls aren't ordinary dolls, but special ones used only for the festival, and are often passed down through families. Young girls often have a special party for their friends followed by a dinner with family; though these events were more formal in the past. Sometimes girls wear kimono for the celebrations.
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| Hina ningyo - Dolls for the doll festival |
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| The top tier of the doll display holds the Emperor and Empress |
To celebrate Hinamatsuri, our Japanese teacher, Makiko Sensei, invited our class of five students downtown for a special kimono-wearing-tea-drinking event sponsored by the international center. It was a fun experience -- though, I think the guys enjoyed going out for pizza afterward more than the actual event itself.
When we got there, we choose kimono and waited to be dressed. Several volunteers from the international center were there to dress us (because putting on a kimono is quite a complex process) and do our hair. While we waited, I was entertained by watching an ADORABLE three-year-old girl walking around in a pink kimono and oversized slippers.
A little, old Japanese lady (who probably came up to my elbow), dressed me in a kimono. She may have been small, but she was fiesty and tough. She bundled me up in the kimono so tight I think she further bruised my ribs. She kept asking, "Daijyobuo desuka? (Is this okay?)" as she hit my chest. She copped quite a feel on me -- but I guess that's all part of what it's like to get dressed up in kimono!
After we were dressed, we went into another room to join the guys for photos and tea. There was also an origami table for making origami and a display of hinaningyo dolls. We didn't stay long, but we had a good time experiencing another aspect of Japanese culture.
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| This wedding kimono, worn by a bride, is made with real gold thread. |
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| Aaron, Kris, Bethany, and me |
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Bethany and me
Please note that I had NO CHOICE about that HUGE thing that is in my hair. |
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| Me and Kris with the doll display |
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| I was so embarrassed when Kris kissed me on the cheek for this photo because public displays of affection are NOT a part of Japanese culture. When this picture was taken, all the Japanese women in the room looked at us and gasped. |
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| Me with the kimono from behind |
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| Our Japanese class (without Greg): Aaron, Makiko Sensei, Kris, Me, Bethany |
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| Kris and Aaron |
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| Kris was very proud of the paper crane he made. |
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| Kris getting full use of his samurai kimono |
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