Happy belated International Women’s Day and Hinamatsuri, Girls’ Day in Japan! What is it about March, spring, rebirth, and women and girls?

International Women’s Day is on March 8, and Hinamatsuri is on the third day of the third month every year. It’s one of the things that made me fall in love with Japan when I was living there. Hina means doll (some of you may know that I am an avid doll collector), and suddenly, Tokyo was overflowing with exquisite doll displays. My favorites were at department stores like Takashimaya–level after level of courtly splendor as the emperor, empress and their minions, furniture, flowers and favorite symbolic fruit are displayed on a red carpet.

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