Hinamatsuri (Japanese Doll Festival or Girls' Festival)

On March 3rd, Japan celebrates a Doll Festival or Girl' Festival. In each home, girls drape a red cloth over several mini steps and line up many dolls representing the Emperor and Empress, attendants, and musicians dressed in traditional court attire of the Heian period (794-1185). (Heian means "peace" or "tranquility" in Japanese.) (The first photo is an example I found on the Internet. My Japanese friends tell me the real dolls are very expensive.)

People believed that dolls could contain bad spirits and, therefore, protect

the owner. This festival traces its origin to an ancient Japanese custom (hinanagashi or "doll floating") of putting paper dolls in a boat and sending them down a river to dispose of bad spirits. Once the evening of March 4th rolls around, the dolls are put away promptly, as yet another superstition exists; if they are not put away by this night, the girl of the household will marry late.

Our kind Japanese neighbor brought over this adorable cake for us to celebrate Girls' Festival with Sydney. We invited Sydney's friend Violet and her family over to celebrate with us. Note the Emperor and Empress. Sydney had the most fun devouring these fondant people! She started by picking off the crown and eating it--how fitting!

One of my Japanese friends from the English conversation class I lead made this cute painting of the Emporer and Empress for Sydney. Obviously the cake didn't last past March 4th, but I think I'll take my chances and display this special painting all year long.