Hina Matsuri

I'm not sure how I didn't write about hina matsuri last year. I was going through old blog notes and found a whole section I had written, but never got around to editing and posting. So here is a short summary of this fun holiday celebrated all over Japan.

Similar to Boy's Day which falls during Golden Week, little girls have their own day of celebration. Hina Matsuri, or doll festival is held the 3rd of March. On this day, families with girls wish their daughters a successful and happy life. Dolls are displayed in the house together with peach blossoms. Often parents will give their daughters small gifts and good-luck tokens. Traditionally the family will come together to share a large feast. It is custom to cook clams and serve them chirashi-style. Chirashizushi is a dish in which seafood, mushrooms, and vegetables are spread over sushi rice.

Yesterday was officially the halfway mark for our current orders to be in Japan. Eighteen months in this wonderful country have brought some amazing adventures and introduced us to many fantastic people. It is with a renewed sense of urgency that I plan the next few month's adventures. Time passes so quickly!