WUNRN
Japan - Girls Day
Hina Matsuri Doll Festival
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Doll Altar at Hina
Matsuri,
or Doll Festival, is celebrated on March 3 in This
festival had its origin about 1,000 years ago in the Heian Period (794-1192).
It is a traditional custom to display ceremonial dolls on tiers of shelves
covered with scarlet carpet. These dolls are dressed in the fashion of the
people of the ancient court.
The
Emperor and Empress are placed on the upper-most tier, followed by the ladies
in waiting and ministers. There is a
superstition about hina dolls. If a girl does not put away the dolls
quickly after the Hina Festival, then she will not get married for a long
time. |
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JAPAN - GIRLS DAY - HINA MATSURI
DOLL FESTIVAL
Article by: © Linda Gillis 2011
Hina Matsuri translates into "doll festival" but this fun holiday is more commonly known as Girls Day and is celebrated every March 3rd.
Girls throughout Japan display their doll collections for a few days to celebrate "Hina Matsuri." One legend says if a girl displays her dolls for more than 3 days she will marry later in life.
In the weeks before Hina Matsuri you will begin to see displays of dolls in stores all over Japan. You'll see small and large displays exhibited with tiny furniture and other items. The dolls, called hina ningyo, vary in size and price. They are exhibited on one-, five- or seven-tiered display stands. Traditionally, two dolls representing the emperor and empress are positioned on the top level of the display stand which is draped in red cloth. These dolls are called Dairi-sama. They are attired in the traditional court costumes of ancient Japan. Around them are small pieces of furniture representing items found in the ancient imperial palace. Members of the royal entourage are arranged on the lower levels of the large stands.
A set of "hina" dolls usually consists of at least 15 dolls. Normally there will be three ladies in waiting, called Kanjo, five musicians, two retainers and three guards displayed in descending order on the shelves. They are often surrounded by small pieces of furniture, serving pieces and other items. Larger sets of dolls might also include more members of the imperial household, lamps, vases, flowers and trees.
On the seven-tiered stands the lower two levels are used to display things a Japanese bride might receive as wedding gifts. Among these items you might find decorative screens, exquisite wedding baskets, chests of drawers, small tables and more.
Many grandparents buy a set of dolls for their first granddaughter and add dolls or other items as more granddaughters are born. Other families add an item or two to their displays each year.
During the Hina Matsuri festivities many girls donned in traditional kimono host parties for their friends. Traditional refreshments such as rice cakes and rice wine is served. Nowadays, some people also serve more modern treats. Small sets of chocolate Hina Matsuri dolls are becoming very popular. When the children's' party has concluded the entire family gathers for a traditional dinner honoring the girls in the family and prayers are offered for their good health and prosperity.
Hina Matsuri has been celebrated for many centuries throughout Asia and, as often is the case, it is said to have begun in China. Originally paper dolls were crafted to represent the young girls in the family. It was believed that if a doll was thrown into the water and it was carried downstream the girl's imperfections would be cast away. As this tradition evolved girls began to receive paper dolls representing the emperor and empress and then their courtiers were also added. The five- and seven-tiered stands started to become popular in the early 1600's.