Day by Day, I learn something about Japanese culture. Something impressive. Take today for instance, its Happy girls day aka "hina-matsuri" . It is a nationally recognised day that celebrates the girl child. This day is rooted in ancient customs that date as far back as the 17th century.
In OIC, the centre where I am, there was a set of traditional Japanese dolls displayed by the dinning room.
From the Japanese I spoke to, the set of dolls are meant to wish girls' healthy growth and happiness.
Parents or grand parents of a newborn girl have to buy this set dolls. Alternatively, the girl child can inherit them from her mother. So it is a generation to generation thing.
The dolls are dressed in Japanese ancient costumes and are displayed on the shelves of a stand covered with a red carpet from the end of February to March 3rd. It is believed that any hina doll display should be taken down soon after the festival day; otherwise girls might have to wait to get married ( and thats scary over here).
So today, my facilitator Nana, also gave each of us some of the snacks that are provided on that day. The dining room also had some special meals prepared in honor of this day.
In OIC, the centre where I am, there was a set of traditional Japanese dolls displayed by the dinning room.
From the Japanese I spoke to, the set of dolls are meant to wish girls' healthy growth and happiness.
Parents or grand parents of a newborn girl have to buy this set dolls. Alternatively, the girl child can inherit them from her mother. So it is a generation to generation thing.
The dolls are dressed in Japanese ancient costumes and are displayed on the shelves of a stand covered with a red carpet from the end of February to March 3rd. It is believed that any hina doll display should be taken down soon after the festival day; otherwise girls might have to wait to get married ( and thats scary over here).
So today, my facilitator Nana, also gave each of us some of the snacks that are provided on that day. The dining room also had some special meals prepared in honor of this day.
It is really nice that girls are remembered like this though its surprising that women's day is not recognised here!
You may be wondering about the boys...well, they too have a boys' day on May 5th. Traditionally it was on May 5th but it was recently merged by government to also double as a "children's day". According to Nana, some families still celebrate it as a "boys day".
You may be wondering about the boys...well, they too have a boys' day on May 5th. Traditionally it was on May 5th but it was recently merged by government to also double as a "children's day". According to Nana, some families still celebrate it as a "boys day".
Since its a chidren's day, it also gets to be a public holiday! Hmm, is that fair!!!! Ok, too much beef for the small boys..its not their fault:)
I better take this bitterness with me..ha ha!!
Bye for now.
I better take this bitterness with me..ha ha!!
Bye for now.
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