Hawaii Author Celebrates a Bestseller

by NIKI LAUREN CHING
Sun Correspondent
Archived August 2007 article

"It's most exciting to see how people have positively responded!" Tokie exclaims as she refers to the many fans that have let her know how grateful they are for the book. Now they know the reasons for the customs of Girl's Day. Tokie's book even inspired one woman to take out her Girl's Day doll collection from storage, where it had been for years. The woman now has a renewed sense of pride in explaining the significance of Girl's Day to her new daughter-in-law. Another example of how well the book has been received was the long line of people who waited to greet Tokie in the pouring rain at a book signing in Hilo. Within an hour, all of her books were sold out at Borders!

All this positive reader response is what Tokie is striving for. "I hope that we continue to celebrate Girl's Day in a meaningful way and not lose the tradition," she states and adds that perhaps younger moms will be inspired to carry on the lovely tradition.

The overwhelming response pushed the book to number three on Hawaii's 10 bestseller list. It debuted at number six during the week it was released. According to Mutual Publishing's Angie Britten, about 4,000 copies were printed and Booklines, their distributor, ran out of books before Girl's Day (March 3rd). There are a limited number of books available now.

What makes the book so popular? Jane Gillespie, of Mutual Publishing, explains that there were numerous requests for a Girl's Day book that used the same format as Tokie's first book, Japanese New Year with Yuki-chan. The format consists of teaching facts in a simple, entertaining story form with Yuki as the main character. (And yes, Tokie will be writing a book on Boy's Day in the future.)

Tokie reveals that her second book was easier to write than the first. "Mother Nature helped me in that it rained for 42 days, while I did my research!" she admits. Her research included utilizing the Internet, interviewing Japanese mothers from both Hawaii and Japan, drawing upon experiences with her own young adopted daughter from Japan, and reminiscing about times when she herself was a little girl and celebrated Girl's Day.

Tokie compliments her illustrator, Sets Arai, on how she meticulously brought Girl's Day images to life. "I was impressed with how well she could convey my ideas into art. Her illustrations depict the tradition and the beauty of Japan perfectly," Tokie praises.

At the time of this writing, the Honolulu Advertiser, Hawaii Herald, Hilo Tribune Herald, and Holoholo have all featured articles on Tokie and her book. In addition to write-ups, Tokie has been participating in various readings. Many of the island schools celebrating Read Across America Day have asked her to be a guest reader. She shared her book at the following elementary schools: Hahaione, where she taught for 12 years; Kahala, where she worked for a year; Kapalama, where she taught for 13 years; Aliiolani; Ewa; Waikiki; and Kaumana (in Hilo). Her reading at Kaumana was extra special; it is the school she attended as a child!

Tokie also performed readings at Leahi Day Care, Hilo Hongwanji Mission Sunday School, and Hilo Life Care Center, where her 98-year-old mother attends during part of the day. A touching highlight of this visit was presenting the book to her Mother as a birthday gift.

In Hilo, Tokie was also a guest speaker at the Japanese Cultural Center, where she signed books that were purchased and donated by her former classmate, Arnold Okamura, and his wife, Pat.

In May, Tokie was invited to be guest speaker at the annual Hawaii Education Association Creative Writing Festival Reading and Awards reception. It occurred at the University of Hawaii's Orvis Auditorium. She shared her experience on being a local author and encouraged others to follow their dreams of becoming authors, too.

On Oahu, Girl's Day in Hawaii with Yuki-chan sells for $12.95 and is for sale at Barnes & Noble, Best Sellers, Borders, Costco, Don Quijote's, Long's, Native Books, and the Pearl Harbor Naval Exchange. On the Big Island, in addition to Borders, the book is available at Basically Books and the Book Gallery.

Tokie welcomes comments and inquiries. She can be reached at (808) 395-8285 or at tokieching@aol.com.

Summary of Girl's Day in Hawaii with Yuki-chan

Yuki, a little girl originally from Japan but adopted by a family in Hawaii, learns about the Japanese custom of Girl's Day. She curiously watches as Dad assembles seven wooden steps then covers them with a red cloth, or "dankake." Yuki's eyes almost pop out of her head when she sees Mom bring out the dolls.

Mom explains that the dolls are part of a "hina ningyo" set, which represents Japan's Emperor and Empress at the Imperial Court on their royal wedding day. Mom shows Yuki the dolls, which also include ladies-in-waiting, musicians, guards, and servants. They are made of wood but have shiny faces and hands, because they are painted with an oyster shell substance called "gofun." Their faces are very expressive.

The dolls are all beautifully dressed, but the Empress is the most spectacular. She is adorned with 12 layers of kimono, which are hand stitched from the finest silk and brocade. Her ornate crown boasts tassels of coral and other jewels.

Dolls are not the only objects set on the steps. First, next to the court ladies are tiny serving tables with treats called "odairi-sama," in case the dolls "get hungry." Two miniature trees, cherry and orange, are placed on the steps to symbolize a happy marriage. In ancient times, real trees of these types would be planted in the royal courtyard. Finally, a doll-sized dowry is organized on the bottom steps. The gorgeous black and gold lacquered furniture consists of dressing tables, chests (including a long one for kimono storage), and a set of utensils for the Japanese Tea Ceremony; and for transportation, an ox-drawn carriage, and a palanquin (a covered couch supported by poles which men carry on their shoulders.)

Yuki is dying to play with the dolls, but Mom only allows her to hold them. Mom explains that they are not toys but special ceremonial dolls given to her by her grandparents, parents, and close friends. She will always be grateful for those precious gifts and treat them with the utmost respect. Mom also reveals that some of the dolls could be worth several thousand dollars! However, the dolls are most important to her because they bring back happy memories of Girl's Day when she herself was a child.

After setting up the hina ningyo display, Yuki asks about the origin of Girl's Day. Mom says that Girl's Day, or "Hina Matsuri," is always celebrated on March third. During ancient times, that was the day of the "Purification Ceremony" in the Shinto religion. People would exhale on or rub a paper doll (a "katashiro" or "hitogata") on themselves to rid their bodies of impurities. They hoped to transfer all the sickness, bad luck, and evil spirits to the dolls. Then, they set the dolls adrift on the rivers or ocean.

Mom also describes a Chinese practice of giving offerings to the gods at each season. When this tradition arrived in Japan, it was linked to girls playing with dolls. It evolved into Hina Matsuri during Japan's Edo Period. It became an occasion to pray for young girls' health, growth, and happiness.

Mom allows Yuki to invite friends over to celebrate Girl's Day. As Yuki dresses for her party, the correct way to dress in a kimono is taught. At the party, traditional Japanese sweets are served and described. For example, one of the treats is a pink, white, and green diamond-shaped rice cake. The girls learn that it is called "hishimochi," and whoever eats it will live a long life. They are told that pink represents the gentleness of spring peach blossoms; white stands for purity or winter snow, and green symbolizes happiness, new growth, and the fresh foliage of summer.

Special touches at the end of the Girl's Day in Hawaii in Yuki-chan include directions on how to fold an origami doll; recipes for mochi, manju, and sekihan (sticky rice); and a glossary of Japanese terms.