March the 3rd is Girls Day in Japan. Girls get their own special celebration for their good health and growth. Unfortunately, it is not a national holiday, and we do not get the day off. Our custom is for parents on the mother's side to give a set of dolls to a grand daughter. My parents did not dare to observe this tradition because they did not approve of my sister's marriage in those days. Therefore, learning that my sister owned the set of dolls shown in the photo was a surprise. These dolls can be very expensive. She is neither rich, nor living in a large house. Regardless, she has one full set of dolls for her daughter and displayed that every year for Girls Day. I can only imagine how happy she was to have a daughter and how deeply she was determined to raise her daughter by following Japanese traditions soundly. The dolls were no longer displayed at her apartment, since her daughter has grown up already. This year, the doll set is currently on display in the Japanese room of my condominium. It is part of our efforts to help my mother remember our traditions, customs, and holidays. Without visual reminders like this, she no longer remembers the special days we always celebrate.
3月3日はひな祭り。女の子の健康と成長を祝う特別の日ですが、祝日でないのが残念です。女の子へのお祝いに普通は、女親の両親が孫娘の為にお雛様をプレゼントするものですが、当時、私の妹の結婚に反対した両親は、そんなお祝いなど以っての外でした。ですから、妹が写真のような立派な五段雛を持っていたのは驚きでした。五段雛なんて贅沢で、置き場所にも困ります。当時、余裕のなかった妹が五段雛を購入するなんて、よっぽど娘を持って嬉しかったんだろうなと思いました。又、恵まれなくても、しっかりと子供を育てようという彼女の心意気を伺い知ることもできます。そんな姪も成人して、ここ数年このお雛様も飾らなくなってしまったそうです。そこで、今年は、私のマンションに飾ってもらうことにしました。母がこれを見て、少しでも季節の変わり目を感じ取り、祝い事を思い出してくれればと思いました。
