Girl's Day

Today is March 3rd which means it is one of the many Japanese holidays - this one dedicated to girls everywhere.  Hina Matsuri, or Doll Festival, is the day that Japanese families with girls wish their daughters a successful and happy life.  There are no big, elaborate festivals to go to (and photograph) for this day, just elaborate doll (hina) displays that people put in their private homes along with peach blossoms. 

This display is in the hospital - this is only the top three levels.

The Empress

Love the face on this guy.

Emmy's hina that she made at school today.

I wrote a great post last year about this day so I'm afraid I don't have much to add for this year except that I wish Emmy, Hailey, Hannah, Sydney, Abby, Megan, Candice and Karaline (and all other girls out there) a long, successful and happy life!  (I'll drink some sake and eat some chirashi sushi for you tonight! - that's what the books say to do...)

And if you feel like singing, here's a song...

Japanese version:

“Akari o tsukemashou bonbori ni

Ohana o agemashou momo no hana

Go-nin bayashi no fue taiko

Kyo wa tanoshii Hinamatsuri”

English translation:

“Let's light the lanterns

Let's set peach flowers

Five court musicians are playing flutes and drums

Today is a joyful Dolls' Festival.”

Or this is a peppier version by a band called Mini Moni and is classic Japanese.  Believe it or not, this was a number 1 hit!