Girls’ Day dolls with a side of quirky

Every March 3rd, families with daughters display a set of Girls’ Day dolls that represent the Imperial court at its Heian Era finest…

…but these days, you don’t have to be a nobleman or a shrine maiden to ascend the vermilion steps!

The Imperial Pokemon court One Piece characters go royal or go home Emperor Anpanman and Empress Melonpan presiding

I saw all these sets in the town of Katsuura, which is famous for displaying 40,000 dolls all over town for Girls’ Day, but the set below is my favorite. Katsuura is a fishing town, so I adored this traditional set that’s been modified to give a nod to the local industry.

I don’t know how they got all those perfectly scaled fish and crabs, but somebody is a master modelmaker! I’m especially fond of this group, which doesn’t leave out the guy reeling one in for his own supper, or the intrepid spear fisher And I also love these hardworking nobles, hauling in a fine catch. Don’t you love how they perfectly positioned the blue marbles, like Japanese glass fishing floats? I even love this wacky emperor and empress made of shells Also had to admire the ones made by local schoolkids, out of toilet paper rolls… …and paper cups! And the Katsuura town mascot (a goggle-eyed tuna BECAUSE JAPAN) making an appropriate holiday appearance …as do the Moomin family …and stuffie versions of Anpanman and Melonpan improvised from dry goods at the local hardware store

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Jonelle Patrick is the author of five novels set in Japan

The Last Tea Bowl Thief was chosen as an Editor’s Pick for Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense on Amazon

For three hundred years, a missing tea bowl passes from one fortune-seeker to the next, altering the lives of all who possess it… read more

“A fascinating mix of history and mystery.” —Booklist

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Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly newsletter Japanagram, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had