Yesterday was 3rd March and it is the Hina Matsuri Day which is known as the Girl’s Day or Japanese Doll Festival. It is an ancient custom where people pray for the happiness and healthy growth of their daughters. According to some information I found on Google, families with young daughters mark this day by setting up a display of dolls wearing costumes in their house. The dolls are placed in tiered platform. The first one is reserved for the Emperor and Empress. The second one is for three ladies-in-waiting and on the third are five male court musicians. From the photos I saw online, the court musicians look like they were holding evh guitars.
Our friend, Junko invited us over to her house for a simple Hina Matsuri celebration.
This is the display which Junko set up in her home. The dolls are wearing the imperial court costume.
A close-up of the Emperor and Empress
The most fun part is for the kids to make a Hina Matsuri bento. These are the ingredients for the bento.
Quail eggs, rice cakes, nori, sesame seeds, egg sheets and carrots.
Junko teaching the children how to make the Hina Matsuri bento.
Ashley’s bento. First stick the quail egg onto the rice to create the head. Then cover the rice with a piece of egg sheet to form the clothes.
Ashley’s creation which is supposed to look like the Emperor and Empress.
So happy with her creation.
After they have done the bento, the children sat down to eat them.
These are for adults. Delicious meal and great company. It was a fun night and we learned something new about the Japanese custom yesterday.
This was so fun. Girls’ day is on 3 March in Japan. Interesting. I also learned something today.
So special!! Ashley and the kids surely had fun!
A very special celebration..so good u hv japanese friends so can learn more bout their culture..hands on somemore..so envy..
Something added to your knowledge and something fun to do. Cute bento. First time seeing such bento. Very nicely done by Ashley.:)
Interesting! Never heard of this celebration till and it’s good and educational for our kids to have friends of other cultural background.
I’ve never heard of this festival before. So nice of your Japanese friend to hold this simple party to let you all get a feel of their culture. Nice doll bento there 🙂
Wow! Amazing festival!
Never heard of this celebration. It looks interesting especially when kids can come together to learn on the doll bento.
Nice bento done by Ashley. The food looks so delicious.
Nice job with the Emperor & Empress!
Japanese are so rich with many cultures. It is really fun to learn about them. So I suppose you will not miss the coming Boy’s Festival too?
Love the couple Bento Ashley made. So cute!
heard about this festival recently… such a fun day to celebrate being a girl!!!