The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-07-20
The Festival Of Dolls

The girls festival Of dolls In Japan
begins March Sd and lasts from TWO
days to a month. This is festival
of great interest to all the giris-big
and EttIe-.of Japan, for al TINS tlhe
they entertain their friends and rela-
tiyes and display the gifts they have
received. They are very pleased and
proud to do this. just as girls In Amer
lea would be under similar circum-
stances.
In Japan when a little girl baby Is
born, Just before the next succeeding
Sd of March her parents and friends
present her with gifts to be displayed
at this festival. Every 3D. OF March
on following years more presents are
given. until as she grows older. IN
time she possesses n large collection
This collection includes many dolls.
but also many other articles, Tor these
gifts are not intended to be used as
playthings, but are considered to be
part of girls education Tea-sets
are presented that She may become
| familiar with the ceremonies connect
ed with tea drinking, and these cere-
monies are very elaborate; kitchen
utensils, cabinets. mirrors and toilet
articles are given that she may know
their use: also miniature furniture as
| used In noblemans house to show
her how the higher classes live.
/ Dolls are dressed to represent the
emperor and empress, with their at
PENDANTS, guards and musicians. that
the little girl may DO familiar with
their appearance. Usually three at
PENDANTS. two guards and five must
clans are in a group. A girl is thus
trained to be intelligent in many ways
while she Is enjoying the delights OF
the dolls festival
A day or two before March Sd the
various presents that have been re-
ceived are arranged on a series of
shelves, one above another; and, when
the great day arrives. the girl is dress
ed in her prettiest clothes and she
invites her playmates and friends to
come and see my gifts" little
feast il spread for the visitors, as is
always the case when the Japanese
entertain: rice, cakes and sweets are
handed around. and the occasion IL
made more important by the cakes
being placed In miniature reproduc-
tions OF the dishes in which wedding
cakes are served. The quaint little
ceremony is a very pretty one. The
sweet little Japanese maid with her
shining black hair. Ia arranged in a
bright kimono and obi. and her guests
are seated upon cushions that are
placed upon The neat ~straw mating
that covers the floor. The little girl
hostess IS the center OF lHNreSt, as Sns
kneels before her guests and offers
them her party Refreshments. While
the girls are small. their, presents are
arranged for Them but when they
get to be ten or twelve years old,
they are allowed the pleasure OF ar
ranging for themselves.
The time during which the gifts are
displayed varies in different cities and
different families, from few days
TO a month. When the time has ex-
pred. each doll and every other article
is packed away in its on small box.
and then all these small boxes are put
into one large one, and that is packed
away In the storehouse, where 1t re-
mains undisturhed until the next
March Sd. The articles are also packed
separately In this way. so that the little
girl may have pleasure long drawn
out by taking them out one by one.
1t would be hardly fair for little girls
to have all this enjoyment without
some equivalent being provided for
the boys. and their turn comes May
6th. which Is the beginning of the
boys kite festival" the complement
to the girls doll festival"
During call that little four-year-
old Mary was making with her mother
a slice Of cake was given her. Now
what are you going to say to the
LADY," asked the mother. rs you dot
any IN ora ?" axkAd liftle Mary demure.