March 3 is Hinamatsuri, which is the Girls' day in Japan. Families that have any unmarried girls display a set of traditional dolls at home and wish their daughter(s)' good life and happy marriage in the future. Dolls are set up before Hinamatsuri, and after this day they are put back in the box again. It is said if they keep the dolls displayed longer, the daughter's marriage will be later.The set of dolls basically consists of 'Ohina-sama' which is the girl (princess), her partner 'Odairi-sama' the boy (prince), and most sets contain lots of other small male and female dolls, who are the servants of the couple.
The other day my mum displayed my dolls for me. Look at the photo. Cute, aren't they? There are only 'Ohina-sama' and 'Odairi-sama', no servants for me...lol. The boy doll was made by my mum about 20 years ago. It's quite funny that the boy somewhat looks like a Westerner although he is wearing kimono. Then my 'Odairi-sama' will be a Westerner?
Ha. Oddly so is my boyfriend...
March is apparently the month for women. As well as this Japanese Girls' Day, there is 'International Women's Day' on March 8. This is the day to celebrate all women's achivement in societies and in the background there was a big demonstration by women claiming equal rights in 1857 New York.
In addition, Mothering Sunday is in March in the UK, probably the name 'Mother's Day' is more common though. Mothering Sunday is 3 weeks before Easter... This is quite complicated and I never remember, because Easter day is different each year and so is Mothering Sunday. This year Mothering Sunday is March 22, which date I must remember to send something to my mum and my partner's mum...
Furthermore, I have just started my new translation job for women's books. So, this month is definitely a women's month for me!
Now, what shall I do this month...wear a very very girlish dress or be a glamorous woman wearing red nail polish and high-heeled shoes? Have to try not to fall over...ha ha.
2 comments:
Hello, Anima!
Cute dolls! Your partner must be very pleased to see the boy doll.
"Oh! It's like me!"(?)
And thank you for your information about International Women's Day and Mothering Sunday.
I've never heard either of them. March 8 falls on Sunday this year. I will be careful of the news on the day. I'm curious about how tha Day is celebrated in Japan. Mothering Day sounds nice. Your mum is very lucky,because she can enjoy Mother's Day twice a year!
Happy Mother's Day :D
Hi Honesty:)
Thanks, I'll tell my mum her dolls are popular all over the world! (maybe too exaggerated? ha ha)
I hadn't known International Women's Day until one of my classmates gave flowers to all the ladies in the class about 3 years ago. I asked what the flowers are for and he told me it was women's day.
I think I will send some card or flowers to my mum for Mothering Sunday and give her a call on Mother's Day in Japan:)
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