On 3 March, Japanese families with daughters celebrate �gHina Matsuri�h (or doll festival), setting up in their homes a display of dolls representing the emperor, empress, attendants and musicians in court dress, and eating diamond-shaped rice cakes and drinking shirozake.

For those interested in traditional culture, March offers Nakamura Fukusuke�fs Kabuki demonstration, the Kaetsu Centre�fs Japan Day, and a drum performance by Kodo. They are sure to please your eyes, ears and palate.

If your interest is in modern Japan, there is a lecture by Professor Arthur Stockwin on Japan�fs new politics and a film screening followed by a talk with Madame Beate Sirota Gordon, author of the women�fs rights clause in the Japanese Constitution.