Dolls
In Japan, the first three months of the year go by in a flash because there so many events one after another. So there is a common saying describing the first three months of the year: "Ichigetsu inuru, nigetsu nigeru, sangetsu saru" (一月往ぬる二月逃げる三月去る). It means "January passes by, February runs away, and March leaves". It feels like February did just that, and suddenly March is imminent! One of the many events is on March 3, Hina Matsuri ひな祭り(Girl's Day/Doll Festival). This day is to celebrate the girls and women in the home by displaying a set of dolls in Heian dress (Hina Dolls, hina ningyo 雛人形) and special tri-colored diamond-shaped mochi offerings (hishi mochi 菱餅). Last month we wrote on Setsubun and how it is celebrated the day before the first day of spring on the old calendar. The display of the family's Hina Dolls starts on the first day of spring (risshun 立春) and strictly ends on March 3 - if they are not taken down it is said that the daughter might have a late marriage! But in reality, once they have served their purpose, the precious dolls need to be protected from Japan's high humidity so they are put away until next spring.
Below are some colorfully fun foods traditionally eaten on the day.
Stop by to see our shop's own petite Hina Doll display!
Kimono House is conveniently located in SoHo between Houston and Prince Streets on Thompson.
131 Thompson Street
New York, NY 10012
(212) 505-0232