Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu Hosts JASH Tomodachi HINAMATSURI Celebration

Mrs. Misako Ito shares some background about the hina ningyo display.

On Wednesday, February 27, 2019, Consul General Koichi Ito and Mrs. Misako Ito graciously opened their residence to the Japan-America Society of Hawaii’s annual Tomodachi Hinamatsuri celebration in honor of Girls’ Day.

Hinamatsuri (Doll Festival) also known as Momo-no-sekku (Peach Festival) is traditionally celebrated on March 3 by Japanese families to wish for happiness and healthy growth of their daughters. In homes, elegant dolls called hina ningyo dressed in ancient court costumes of the Heian Period (794 – 1185) are displayed.

Mrs. Ito shared with the guests some background about the seven-tiered hina ningyo display. She also explained how special food traditionally served at a Girls’ Day celebration, such as hishi mochi (diamond-shaped tri-colored rice cakes) and hina arare (colored ball rice puffs) have significant meanings.

Ms. Keishu Tokugawa (L) performs shigin while Ms. Yuki Terasaka writes characters for the poem.

Guests were entertained with a unique collaboration of shigin (reciting poems) and calligraphy by Ms. Keishu Tokugawa and Ms. Yuki Terasaka. A lively and powerful performance of Japanese songs by Anju Madoka of the Madoka no Kai Japanese folk song school put everyone in a festive spring mood as well.

Ms. Anju Madoka entertains guests with her beautiful voice and shamisen.

Following the performances, guests were able to partake in special refreshments prepared by the Consul General’s personal chef and donated by the Tomodachi Committee members.

Thank you once again to Consul General and Mrs. Ito for hosting this much-anticipated occasion. JASH would also like to thank Ms. Keishu Tokugawa, Ms. Yuki Terasaka and Ms. Anju Madoka for their special performance. A big mahalo to Tomodachi Committee members for providing additional refreshments.

Photos courtesy of Leslie Ozawa.