A
company in Tokyo that creates Hinamatsuri dolls has created a special doll modeled after figure skater
Mao Asada, who is skating in the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games. She'd have a hard time ice-skating in all those ceremonial robes!
Hinamatsuri, also known as the Doll Festival or Girls' Day in Japan, is a time to wish for the health and future happiness of young girls. Every
March 3rd, most Japanese homes with young girls display
hina dolls, decorate them with peach blossoms and offer the dolls special colored and diamond-shaped rice cakes, white sake and other items.
Japan Society has an
annual family program to celebrate where you can learn and enjoy musical performances and songs, as well as festival-related snacks and drinks. Children and families participate in decorating ceremonial dolls (
hina-ningyo) and can create their own hina dolls to take home. (Boys are welcome to participate too!)
Our program this year is already sold out! However, any unclaimed tickets will be released for resale at the beginning of the program, so if you're desperate to come, there's still hope! If you're looking for a quiet and creative way to celebrate Hinamatsuri at home, make sure to check out
our recent post on making origamiceremonial dolls (
hina-ningyo).
