Today on the Japanese calendar is Hina-Matsuri, or "Doll Festival". In Japanese homes that have a daughter, small emperor and empress dolls are displayed on decorated tiered shelves with a miniature entourage. It is a tradition to wish good health for the daughters.
Also about this time of year, Japan celebrates the birthday of the famous "Jeff S." As the legend goes, many years ago (well, not THAT many), a mighty kichiku beihei (dirty barbarian American devil) threatened to rain destruction upon the land. The only way they could appease him was to offer up the poor innocent Mariko as a sacrifice. The barbarian took the maiden back to his gaikoku-land and promised to spare the island, and now only returns to occasionally drink a local izakaya establishment dry from time to time.
Happy Birthday, Jeff.