Happy Girl's Day!

In Hawaii, everyone knows Hinamatsuri (or Doll's Day), as Girl's Day. Seeing as today is March 3rd, it seemed appropriate to discuss this Japanese holiday that still persists in Hawaii today. According to some sources, the origin of Girl's Day began during the Heian period, as was commonly celebrated to ensure good luck for the daughters of the family. Although the holiday is not as prominent as it was before, several places, such as Two Ladies Kitchen and KTA, still sell mochi for  Girl's Day. A good example of this is the pink, green, and white layered rectangular mochi that we commonly call "chi chi mochi" ("chi chi" being slang for milk in Japanese). In Japan though, this iconic mochi is called "hishimochi" and is a type of confectionary made special for Girl's Day. Aside from just indulging in the mochi though, it is also customary to put them on display with the Girl's Day ornamental dolls (at least, that's what my family does). The dolls range from many different styles and mediums, from porcelain to wood, but the most iconic dolls are those of the traditional Heian court doll set. The special Heian court doll sets are set up into several tiers and placed onto a red carpet, divided according to class: the emperor and empress, handmaidens, warriors, and musicians. However, many of these collections vary and may include extra items such as tangerine trees, sakura trees, furniture, folding screens, and lanterns.
   In regards to my family's own traditions, my mom has her own set of Heian court dolls, complete with an entire palace set for the emperor and empress to be placed in (**I will edit in pictures later of this).  According to my mother, she had gotten the set from her own grandmother when she was born, and was the only daughter to receive a Heian court set out of her sisters (she was the eldest). It just made a little over fifty years old recently and is in still very good condition, despite Hawaii's humidity and time. My mom told me from when I was younger that it would be passed down to me, the eldest daughter of our own family. We're a little busier now days so we don't put them up every year like we used to, but when we do we try to leave it out past Girl's Day, even though there is a superstition tied to it. Many of these Heian court dolls can be seen on display at the Japanese Cultural Center too during their own Girl's Day celebration (this past year's one was on March 1st; all sets were donated). Many other Girl's Day dolls, such as kokeshi, are still available for purchase annually just for Girl's Day as well, as it is also part of tradition to buy dolls for every Girl's Day. There are even more detailed and ornamental dolls, dressed in kimono and contained in glass cases, too. It is also interesting to note that there are Boy's Day doll equivalents as well (so don't feel left out, boys).
  Although this Girl's Day is already coming to close, I hope everyone had a nice day, and that this put some insight into the holiday!