On March 3, all of Japan celebrates the holiday of girls - 雛祭り(Hinamatsuri). The name of this holiday literally translates as the Festival of Dolls. It is also called 桃の節句 (Momo No Sekku), the Peach Blossom Festival.
How do Japanese girls celebrate their day?
Families with daughters put dolls (hina ningyo) on public display. Dolls flaunt on a special pedestal with several steps upholstered in red fabric. According to tradition, a doll-emperor and a doll-empress are placed on the pedestal, which personify the imperial family, as well as small dolls - princesses. This whole design is decorated with peach flowers and cherry petals, which is very symbolic, because spring is already on the threshold. On the pedestal there is a special stand on which the Japanese put traditional sweets.
Also on this day, girls dress up in kimono and, like real ladies, go to visit each other, give gifts, admire dolls and treat themselves to special sweets: hishi mochi (multi-colored rice sweets) and hina arare (lush rice sweets covered with molasses). Thus, girls are instilled with good manners, the concept of character traits that a woman should possess, and the ability to take care of valuable things, restraining her desires and whims.
In any supermarket on the eve of March 3, you can buy special Japanese sweets (wagashi) in the form of dolls. Various festive treats are also popular: rolls, sushi, rice balls with special fillings and sprinklings of spring, pastel colors.
Have you already tried wagashi?
