
Last year on this same day I also wrote a blog on Boy’s day. It is also known as Tango no sekku, which marks the beginning of summer. It is a day filled with rich symbolism and tradition. The three main symbols of the holiday that represent the qualities boys were expected to possess are:
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Musha ningyo or warrior doll
These are dolls dressed in traditional samurai armor which are placed in a special alcove. They represent masculine qualities of strength and bravery. They are also accompanied by a miniature helmet or kabuto.

Recently I went to Hide Sushi, which is one of the best quality, reasonable priced sushi restaurants in Southern California. It is located in Los Angeles: map
They don’t take reservations, but it is definitely worth the wait or worth going early. We sat in the sushi bar and enjoyed some ebi (shrimp), ika with shiso (cuttlefish with perilla), salmon skin roll, scallop with ponzu sauce, aji (Japanese mackerel), and lastly the amaebi (sweet shrimp). Also here are some tips that I learned from this experience:
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7 things I learned from the experience of eating sushi
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Last year I wrote a blog about the main components of the Girl’s Day/ Hinamatsuri: display, delicacies, and celebrating with friends. This blog will focus more on the history of Hinamatsuri and the interpretation of symbols used in the festival.
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Celebrating Japanese Culture: March 3rd is Girl’s Day/ Hinamatsuri
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Over the last couple of weeks I wrote a brief bio of Master Kineya Kichisaburo, his performances, important lessons I learned, and his excellent craftsmanship. Today I will focus on my fondest memories and share a side of him not linked to his music.
Master Kineya Kichisaburo’s musical accomplishments were quite remarkable, but he also showed excellent craftsmanship. In addition to fixing the shamisen, he also loved to create items out of recycled goods.
The picture below is a water well he made out of recycled Japanese cookie box. It is intricately made. The wheel actually rotates allowing movement with the ropes.

The next picture is a tsuzumi (Japanese drum) that he made with wood, construction paper and rope. Although it does not make any noise it is very similar to the real instrument. He strung the rope similar to how it is done on a real tsuzumi.
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Master Kineya Kichisaburo’s excellent craftmanship
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Master Kineya Kichisaburo was a brilliant teacher and performer. I first started taking lessons with him when I was 3 years old. Although I could barely read Japanese, he handwrote a book for me and pasted a colorful bind. Usually he would sing and through auditory learning, I would copy him.
The picture below is my first performance with him at the Japanese American Theater in Downtown Los Angeles, California at the age of 4.


It is hard to believe that it has been 7 years since my teacher passed away. He was my nagauta (literally meaning long song, is a lyrical music accompaniment of Japanese Kabuki and classical dance), and shamisen (Japanese 3 string instrument) teacher for 14 years.
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In memory of my teacher, Master Kineya Kichisaburo
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March 3 of every year is Girl’s day in the Japanese culture and May 5th of every year is boy’s day, also known as Children’s Day. It used to be called Tango no sekku (meaning feast of the banners). On girl’s day the doll’s are displayed, but on Children’s day the carp-shaped Koinobori flags are displayed, as pictured below.

My family never had boys so we didn’t celebrate much of this. However, it was an excuse for us to eat Kashiwa mochi (which are mochi rice cakes wrapped in Kashiwa (oak) leaves.
Although I was born and raised in America, my parents have kept me in touch with my Japanese culture. One of the Japanese holidays we celebrate is Hinamatsuri (Girl’s day), also known as momo-no-sekku (festival of peach blossoms) on March 3rd. There are several components to this festival.
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Display
Before March 3rd, we put out a display of dolls called the Hina Ningyo on red platforms, as pictured below. The two dolls on the top platforms are replicas of the ancient emperor and empress. On the lower platforms are the subordinates. There are many different kinds of displays and this is just one style. Legend has it that if it this display is not put away after March 3rd, the single daughter can never get married.
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Celebrating a taste of Japanese Culture: Hinamatsuri
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