Picnics, flowers, and dolls-- what's not to love about this time of year? In Japan, the Third Month is traditionally known as Yayoi. And, while there are various explanations for the origins of each of the traditional names month names; for the third month, it is pretty unanimously agreed upon that yayoi means, "at last!" いよいよ!!
Yayoi: "At last, the grasses and trees are beginning to grow!" 木草弥生月
Of course, everything got messed up with the adoption of the Gregorian calendar, so in Japan-- unlike in China-- all the events are off by a month. But, anyway, it's not that hard to imagine yourself on a picnic, eating princess cake under a big blossoming peach tree, right?
March 3rd is Girl's Day in Japan. In addition to dolls put out in people's homes, in Tochigi, little girls might go out dressed up in kimono and float paper dolls in paper boats down the river. Nagashi-bina.
There is a custom in Tochigi (Maybe everywhere?) that sees people getting their dolls out when “spring arrives” (立春), but putting them away by March 4th—otherwise their girls might never get married. Since I don’t have a daughter and am already married, I like leaving my dolls out from around Valentine’s Day to around Easter.
And speaking of marriage, I love the old French proverb —which is also the title of Qian Zhongshu's famous novel-that marriage is like a fortress besieged. Marriage is like a fortress besieged; those who are outside want to get in, and those who are inside want to get out. Review in LARB by Brendan O’Kane.
When did you take that picture of us!?
Thank you for the reminder of the day - watched The Peach Orchard section of Kurosawa's Dreams - sad but beautiful.