Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu Hosts JASH Hinamatsuri Celebration
On March 3, 2020, Consul General Koichi Ito and Mrs. Misako Ito graciously opened their residence to the Japan-America Society of Hawaii for our annual Hinamatsuri celebration in honor of Girls’ Day.
Hinamatsuri (Doll Festival) also known as Momo-no-sekku (Peach Festival) is traditionally celebrated 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.
Left - Mrs. Ito shared heart-warming and joyful stories of celebrating Hinamatsuri as a young child. A beautiful display of hina ningyo could be viewed throughout the Consulate .
Right - Ms. Kazuko Love, Tomodachi Committee Co-Chair shares with the group about growing up in Takarazuka City,Japan where performer Ms. Ariake Jun performed. The Takarazuka Revue is a renowned Japanese all-female musical theater troupe based in Takarazuka City, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. Women play all roles in lavish,Broadway-style productions of Western-style musicals as well as Traditional Japanese classics.
Left - The soothing sound of the shakuhachi played by Mr.William Watson added a nice touch to the afternoon celebration. Mr. Watson is a lecturer and PhD Candidate in Music Composition at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Right - A lively and powerful performance of songs by Ms. Ariake Jun put everyone in a festive spring mood. Ms. Ariake Jun is a retired Takarazuka performer originally from Tokyo, Japan and currently resides in Hawaii. She debuted in 1969 and was a member of the Moon Troupe from 1970-1986.
JASH Tomodachi Members enjoy renewed friendships while partaking in delicious food and soaking in the beautiful Hawaiian sunshine.
Left - Mrs. Misako Ito’s personal collection of hina ningyodating back over 100 years.
Right - Guests enjoyed an assortment of delicious dishesgenerously provided by the Consulate of Japan in Honolulu and Tomodachi Committee Members.
