'Hirnamatsuri', 'the Girls' Festival'

'Hirnamatsuri', 'the Girls' Festival' or 'the Doll's Festival,' is celebrated on March 3rd in Japan. It is also called 'Momo no Sekku', which means 'Peach Blossom Festival.' People began this event in the late eighth century of the Heian period (794-1185). It is an occasion to pray for young girls' growth and happiness.
Most families with girls display dolls dressed in Heian period court costumes, peach blossoms, cake cubes (hina arare) and diamond-shaped rice cakes (hishimochi). We celebrate the day by eating mixed sushi with colorful ingredients (Chirashi-zushi) and drinking sweet white liqueur (Shiro-zake).
By the way, May 5th is the Boys' Festival in Japan. We will introduce this event on the blog later.