Every March 3rd, families with daughters display a set of Girls’ Day dolls that represent the Imperial court at its Heian Era finest…
…but these days, you don’t have to be a nobleman or a shrine maiden to ascend the vermilion steps!
The Imperial Pokemon court
One Piece characters go royal or go home
Emperor Anpanman and Empress Melonpan presiding
I saw all these sets in the town of Katsuura, which is famous for displaying 40,000 dolls all over town for Girls’ Day, but the set below is my favorite. Katsuura is a fishing town, so I adored this traditional set that’s been modified to give a nod to the local industry.
I don’t know how they got all those perfectly scaled fish and crabs, but somebody is a master modelmaker!
I’m especially fond of this group, which doesn’t leave out the guy reeling one in for his own supper, or the intrepid spear fisher
And I also love these hardworking nobles, hauling in a fine catch. Don’t you love how they perfectly positioned the blue marbles, like Japanese glass fishing floats?
I even love this wacky emperor and empress made of shells
Also had to admire the ones made by local schoolkids, out of toilet paper rolls…
…and paper cups!
And the Katsuura town mascot (a goggle-eyed tuna BECAUSE JAPAN) making an appropriate holiday appearance
…as do the Moomin family
…and stuffie versions of Anpanman and Melonpan improvised from dry goods at the local hardware store
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Would you like to be whisked away to Japan, wherever you are?
It’s the year 1784 and the shōgun rules with an iron fist . . . except within the walled pleasure quarter of Yoshiwara. Inside the Great Gate, samurai law does not apply, and it’s women who pull the strings
“The Samurai’s Octopus…is a truly remarkable book, one that surprised and charmed me at every turn of the page.You’re in for a treat.” —James Ziskin, Anthony, Barry, and Macavity Award-winning author of the Ellie Stone mysteries
Only In Japan 
Girls Day was widely celebrated in HI several years ago. Now that Japanese immigrants are into 5th and 6th generation American born, not so much!
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Yes, and I bet those go-sei and roku-sei girls would much rather have swimming and soccer dolls than ones dressed in Imperial court robes!
Love this. D❣️🍵
Sent from my iPhone
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So glad it brought a smile to your day!