Sendai Japan Mission 2011-2014: 2 Days of Hinadon Open House in February

A year ago, before Sis Yoshida passed away from cancer, she gifted her 50 year old Hina Doll display to the Mission Home. We have loved it and feel it a privelege to have it. They are very expensive (this one cost $5,000 50 years ago--I have no idea how much it would cost today) and is displayed for Girl's Day on March 3. The tradition says that it must be taken down by March 4th or the girls in the house would be delayed in getting married. (we assured the Shimai in the mission that we were careful not to cause a delay in their marriage plans later.) We wanted to enjoy the display for a long time and so we put it up in our Living Room the first part of February. We made arrangements for some of the sisters of the Nagamachi Ward to come and put it up every year and they return on March 4th to take it down. This arrangement will ensure it will be displayed each year-even when a new Mission President and wife come here with no clue what to do with it, unless they are Japanese.

This year, I decided it would be good to share it with others and so we organized an Open House on two different days and invited the members and the neighbors to come to the Mission Home. This was a good way to share the Gospel as people would come into our home and feel the spirit as they see beautiful pictures of the Savior on the walls and speak to our missionaries (Sisters). Sister Jahana made darling invitaions that we handed out to neighbors and Eikaiwa students (English Class) and members. The Relief Society President in Kamisugi Ward brought her Kimonos and dressed the 6 Shimai who helped with the Open House in traditional dress. Sister Uchida, my Visiting Teacher, came and did their hair in beautiful braids, etc. They looked and acted like angels as they floated around the house in their beautiful kimonos. It was a great experience for them!

Sister Yamagishi, my other Visiting Teacher, plays the Koto (old Japanese instrament like a harp) and her husband plays the Shakuhachi~like a recorder made of bamboo. They came and performed for those attending the Open House along with the Koto teacher and a neighbor who dances a traditional dance. Both days were lovely events. I think Sister Yoshida would be pleased that her Hina Doll Display was being used to share the gospel.

All the kimonos were layed out on the bed perfectly folded and ready to use. There are many pieces to the kimono that are worn and it takes about 30 minutes to be dressed.

Miura and Takatsu Shimai excited to be dressed.

Sister Miura getting her hair done by Sister Uchida.

Lovely Hyodo Shimai

Takatsu Shimai

Miura Shimai

Sister Tada and Sister Stubbs were dressed by this lovely older lady who has been an investigator for a long time. She is about 93 years old and very spry.

This gal in the center is also an investigator who came all dressed in her Kimono.

This sweet lady comes to our FHE sometimes and loves Gary.

Our musicians and dancer getting ready to perform.

Our beautiful Shimai

This darling little girl is in the Nagamachi Ward and was the only

little girl that came to see the display.

Sister Takatsu and the Relief Society President, Sister ???

Sister Miura and Takatsu

Sistr Tada

Us with Sister Kakuda, our new Senior Missionary in the office.

Our dancer performing.

The Hina Doll Display.

Sister Yamagishi playing the Koto.

Enjoying the performance.

Sister Yamagishi and her teacher.

Group picture at the end.

Pictures of our darling Shimai.

One of the companionships made this adorable sign-in book.

They are so clever and talented.

Sister Yamagishi and me. I love her. She doesn't speak a word of English and I don't speak a word of Japanese but we understand each other pretty well.