Happy Girls’* Day!
Today is the day of Hinamatsuri, or Girls’ Day in Japan. Growing up, my mom and I would spend a couple hours in early February every year putting together our hina dan, the multi-tiered doll set that represents the Empress and Emperor. I loved my dolls so much I’m pretty sure I played with them throughout the year, despite my grandma telling me they were only supposed to be out around Girls’ Day.
March 3rd used to be a great day – my mom would make chirashizushi for dinner, I’d snack on arare all day and I’d play with my dolls. Plus, I’d get extra attention just for being a girl which I thought was so wonderfully convenient. I always felt bad for my brother who didn’t get a Boy’s Day (although its traditions are rooted in celebrating male children, May 5th is now technically “Children’s Day”).
But March 3rd lost its joyful significance in my life a few years ago. In 2011, my Abuelito, my grandfather on my dad’s side, passed away around this time. In 2013, my Ojiichan, my grandfather on my mom’s side, passed away.
What used to be a day of celebration quickly became a time of mourning – of grandfathers and of childhood – and so I haven’t been able to feel excited about March in a while.
This year, though, I want to take this day that is so special to me to acknowledge some of the women I look up to. In the past three years, Wellesley has taught me the importance of role models. Even if your parents and teachers tell you you can do or be anything, it’s hard to believe it when you don’t see anyone who looks like you, who shares the same values as you, who you can respect, doing the things you want to do one day.
So here are six Japanese women I admire. You’ll notice that all of these women are multi-ethnic/multi-cultural in one way or another. Growing up, I was surrounded by ha-fu (half Japanese) peers but not very many adults who lived at an intersection of racial/ethnic/cultural identities the same way I did. Now that I’m twenty-one, I’ve finally been able to see myself in people with whom I share both gender and national identities.
Renhō Murata / Hsieh Lien-fang
村田 蓮舫 / 謝 蓮舫
(Taiwanese Japanese journalist and politician, one of the very few women in Japanese gov.)
Yoko Ono
オノ ヨーコ
(artist, peace activist)
Yayoi Kusama
草間 弥生
(artist, writer)
Ariana Miyamoto
宮本 エリアナ 磨美子
(model and first multiracial Miss Japan)
Lee Yangji
李 良枝
(writer, artist, and first zainichi-Korean Akutagawa Award Winner)
(also my aunt)
Sakae Lee Tanaka
田中 李 栄
(my mother and overall incredible human being)
THANK YOU. thank you to all the girls and women in my life who live to inspire.
Happy Girls’ Day!!!!
me @age 3
*to all the girls out there who are constantly misgendered and disrespected, this day is for you. it doesn’t matter if you don’t look like everyone else – your identity goes beyond hair, clothes, language, and mannerisms. it does matter that you aren’t treated with the same respect as everyone else – but remember that’s not your fault. if you self-identify as a girl, I believe you have every right to celebrate this day. I WELCOME YOU to celebrate this day with me. You are appreciated and I will support you in every way I can✌