Girls Day-March 3

I know, it's a little late for March 3, but this is so fascinating that I wanted to blog about it.

3/3 is Girls' Day in Japan. It's a pretty big deal. It's a time to pray for the health and welfare of the nation's daughters. I like that idea!

My first introduction to it was when we were invited to the home of a sweet older couple who live across the street from the Mission Home. They are not members of the church, but they built their home at almost the same time the Mission Home was built, and they have known and been friends with every mission president since. I'm not sure how many that is. Mission president's serve for 3 years.

In this couple's small living room, in a little cove at the side, was what I would call a staircase, about five feet wide and standing alone. There were 7 steps to the top. It was covered with a red cloth. Numerous figures of dolls in various dress, tiny serving dishes with little cakes or crackers or candy, model sized wagons with horses in front, miniature boxes with drawers, and all sorts of other cute little items had been carefully placed on each step of this staircase. On top were a man and woman doll, and these were the largest and the most elaborately dressed. Then in each step on down, the dolls got less elaborately dressed and smaller, but each was intricate and beautiful.

We discussed all the little items in detail (but it was spoken in Japanese and translated for those of us who needed it). I think the staircase is set up at least a few weeks before March 3 and must be taken down and put away on March 3. Or at least there was something about getting some of the dolls put away by March 3, or your daughter would never get married.

Next, I saw a similar (but not quite as big or elaborate) display at a department store. It was on sale--for US equivalent of $1200. People buy them already put together. After seeing that, I guessed that Mrs. Ito's display would be worth at least $2000-$3000.

Then we heard about a display in the Marriott at the Nagoya Train Station, which happens to be the largest train station in the world. The Elders took us on the train to the Nagoya Station and we got to go into the Marriott and see it. It was amazing, as you can see by these photos. In this display, all items were hand sewn and made from old kimonos. So there are millions of memories in this display.

There was every kind of little animal and figure sewn up, stuffed, and hung on these strings. It was fascinating and beautiful.

Finally, we heard about the city of Konosu, which has a history as a doll-making center that dates back to the Edo Period (1603-1867). They have the largest display in Japan. It is gigantic, made up of 31-steps and 1,807 traditional ornamental dolls. They have it in their city hall, and the figures represent the Emperor, Empress, servants and musicians, etc. The rest of the town gets involved and about 8,000 dolls are on display in other places. I wish we could have gone there. Konosu is north of Tokyo. But if you want to see a picture of this amazing display, google "Nezu Museum doll display." Fun, fun, fun.

Do you need a haircut? Come on over to Japan and try "Hair Pop," or "Mustache."