“Tucsonans will be able to share in the traditions of Japan with a celebration of the annual Japanese holiday Hinamatsuri, or Girls Day. Customarily held on March 3rd, this special day heralds the beginning of spring while wishing for the health and future happiness of girls with traditional hina doll displays, special foods, and activities.
This year’s Hinamatsuri will be held on March 1, from 1 to 4:30 p.m.
The centerpiece of Girls Day is the large, five-tiered display of ornamental hina dolls representing the Emperor, Empress, and their court from the Heian period (9ththrough 12th centuries) when the custom of displaying dolls originated. Believing the dolls had the ability to contain evil spirits, straw hina dolls were set afloat down the river to the sea to carry bad spirits away, a tradition still practiced today.
In addition to a stunning hina doll display, the Girls Day Festival will also include an exhibition of variety of Japanese dolls and several hands-on activities for the young and young at heart.
Yume Japanese Gardens (www.tucsonjapanesegardens.org) is Tucson’s only authentic Japanese garden and highlights classical concepts of Japanese landscape design. Founded in 2013 as a non-profit organization, it includes a traditional stone Zen garden, koi pond, dry river, Japanese house, and fountains. The Gardens are located at 2130 North Alvernon Way, one block south of the Tucson Botanical Gardens. Contact the Gardens at 520.332.2928 oryume.gardens@gmail.com .”
ALSO from March 1 to April 30, a Japanese doll exhibit will be held at Yume Gardens, daily 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. “A fascinating exhibition highlighting the diversity of Japanese dolls in different mediums: ceramic, cloth, wood, and paper.”
