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Hina Matsuri - 200 x 73 pixels. 6648 bytes. Hina Matsuri - 200 x 100 pixels. 8827 bytes. March Banners Explanations are below the banners... Source code for linking to yamasa.org <a href="http://www.yamasa.org"> <img src="http://www.yamasa.org/acjs/images/arch-col.jpg" hspace=5 vspace=5 align=right border=0 height=100 width=200 ALT="Learn Japanese in Japan"> </a> Please note that if you use the source code above the monthly banner will be updated automatically. No work required by you... Each of the March banners were contributed by Roger Fung, a student in the AIJP from Hong Kong.

Hina Matsuri - Hina Doll Festival

The 3rd of every March is Hina Matsuri, also known as Doll Festival or Girls' Festival), where families pray for the happinness and health of their daughters; such families mark this day by setting up a display of dolls inside their home.

With the dolls acting as a charm, this practice began during the Edo period (1603-1868) as a way of warding off evil spirits.

The dolls don costumes of the imperial court during the Heian period (794-1192). The size of the dolls and the number of steps on the platform where they are placed are usually five to seven layers. Single-tiered displays with one male and one female doll are also common.

A typical display would be something in the likes of this: the top tier is exclusively for the emperor and empress. Like the real Imperial thronw of the ancient court, a minature gilded folding screen is placed behind them. The second tier sits three ladies-in-waiting, and the third tier sits five male court musicians. Ministers sit on either side of trays of food on the fourth tier and the fifth tier features guards flanked by an orange tree to their left and a cherry tree to their right.

The display of dolls is installed at around mid-February and put away promptly as soon as the festival is over. According to an old superstition families that are slow in putting away the dolls have trouble marrying off their daughters.

Source - 'Annual Calendar: March http://jin.jcic.or.jp/kidsweb/calendar/march/hinamatsuri.html

"White Day"

In order to 'balance out' the seemingly one-sided practice of a Japanese Valentines' Day, where women give their male loved ones chocolates and gifts, White Day was invented for men to reciprocate such gifts. Whilst Valentines' Day is an imported convention, White Day on the 14th of March is purely a Japanese invention.

Just as with the giving of chocolates on Valentines' Day, the popularisation of White Day was also driven by one confectionery maker. A marshmallow marketing company launched a campaign in 1965, urging men to repay valentine gifts with marshmallows. The name 'White Day' came from the color of the candy (originally the day was coined as 'Marshmallow Day').

With chocolate makers and other confectionery makers jumping into the White Day bandwagon, the original association with marshmallows gradually expanded into other confections, accessories and so on.

(Source - 'Annual Calendar: March http://jin.jcic.or.jp/kidsweb/calendar/march/whiteday.html)

Graduation Ceremony

With the Japanese school year starting in April in ending in March, there is a rush of graduation ceremonies starting from mid to late-March.

The graduation ceremony basically consists of students receiving their graduation certificates. Because it is the last event of the school year, it is conducted in a very solemn manner. The principal opens with an address, followed by speeches from invited guests. The certificates are then handed one by one to the students by the principal.

After the students receive their certificates, all graduants sing 'Hotaru no hikari' together, a Japanese adaptation of the Scottish folk song 'Auld Lang Syne'.

(Source - 'Annual Calendar: March http://jin.jcic.or.jp/kidsweb/calendar/march/graduation.html)

Saint Patrick's Day

Yes... we know that it isn't a Japanese holiday.

However,

nobody has the heart to tell Declan that so here is our St Patrick's Day livery.

Beannachtaí na Féile Pédraig ar chlann mhór dhomhanda NA nGael, sa bhaile agus AR fud NA cruinne, AR an lá náisiúnta ceiliúrtha seo.

Koushien - National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament

The National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament is held annually for approximately 10 days starting in late March at Koishien Stadium in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture.

This tournament invites 32 schools that had the best records in each regional division during the Autumn season on the year before. Starting from 1924, the tournament is helf during every Spring break. 2001 marked the 72th anniversary of the tournament.

The most successful school in the history of this tournament is PL Gakuen of Osaka. They have won a total of 37 games and captured the national title three times. The team that has been invited the most is Hiroshima Commerical High School, which participated in 20 tournaments.

(Source - 'Annual Calendar: March http://jin.jcic.or.jp/kidsweb/calendar/march/senbatsu.html)

Spring Skiing

After the end of the Winter Academic quarter, Yamasa arranges a Spring Skiing trip to Hakuba (Nagano Prefecture) for 5 days. Its a good way to enjoy the last of the snows before the cherry blossoms bloom and the new Academic Year commences.

The accommodation is located inside the snowfield - just a 100 meter walk from the nearest gelande. Free lessons are included if you are a beginner and discounts for ski/snowboard rental have been arranged. Heli-skiing and back country touring is available for advanced skiers.

As prices are very affordable, for more information contact the International Office.

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