Girl's Day commemorated

Rain was not enough to dampen spirits at the annual Girl's Day festivities at Cal State Long Beach's Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden. 

"Girl's day is a celebration dedicated to the well being of girls in Japan," said Yasuko Koshiyama, an Asian and Asian-American studies lecturer. "It's to celebrate the lives and future happiness of girls." 

The Sunday event was held under a small tarp next to the garden's teahouse and drew a small crowd of parents and children.

"It's a fun day for the kids," said William Lou, a teacher from Cerritos. 

Owen Fudin, a psychologist from Long Beach, said the event was excellent.

"My daughter came here and is playing Ohajiki," Fudin said. 

Ohajiki, a traditional game for girls, is similar to playing marbles. The game pieces are flat glass discs, and are about the size of pebbles. The object of the game is to collect the most Ohajiki pieces. 

Other activities that were part of Girl's Day included making dolls, drinking tea and eating puffed rice treats.    In Japan the event is known Hina Matsuri and is celebrated March 3. CSULB's event was held later to allow more people to attend, said Jeanette Schelin, the garden's director.