Girls Day in Japan

It seems like every month there is a holiday in Japan. This past Wednesday, March 3rd, was Girls Day. Tradition has it that if you have a little girl in the home, you celebrate this day to ensure her future happiness by placing a set of dolls in the best room of the house. These dolls can cost up to $300 and often times are passed down from generation to generation. The ceremonial dolls are replicas of an ancient emperor and empress. The family displays the dolls in the best room of the house for a few days, and after the festival is over the dolls are put away until next year. Peach blossoms are used to decorate around the dolls because they represent a happy marriage and femininity. One set of dolls includes about 15 dolls and household items. Often times a party or cake is held in honor of the little girls in the home. I also read that if you leave the dolls up too long after Girls Day is over, then you will curse your little girl and she may not get married. Girls Day is an opportunity to celebrate your little girl, love her, and show her the joy and pride you have in her. We did not buy a set of $300 dolls! However, I did buy a small piece of the fruit cake for Miyako and I to share after dinner on March 3rd! If you would like to read more about Girl's Day or see pictures of some ornate dolls, check out the following website.
http://www.ginkoya.com/pages/girlsday.html