By: Victoria Rhodes

Mods: 1-2

8 November 2006

What is Hina Matsuri?• 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.

What is Hina Matsuri?

• Its origins go back to China which had the custom of making a doll for the transferal of bad luck and impurities from the person.

• And then putting the doll in a river and forever ridding oneself of them.

• From mid to late February families with daughters put out the dolls with the hopes their daughters will grow up healthy and happy.

Display of the Dolls

. In the weeks before Hina Matsuri you will begin to see displays of dolls in stores all over Okinawa.

. You’ll see small and large displays exhibited with tiny furniture and other items.

• Traditionally, two dolls representing the emperor and empress are positioned on the top level of the display stand which is draped in red cloth.

Display of the Dolls• Most displays consist of just a prince,

(Odairi-sama) and a princess (Ohina-sama).

• But more elaborate displays include

the dolls being part of a 5 or 7 tier display (hinadan), along with courtiers, candy, rice boiled with red beans (osekihan), white sake (shirozake), peach blossoms, diamond shaped rice cake (hishimochi), toys, and tiny furniture.

• Traditionally many parents or grandparents will begin their first display for their daughter, called hatsu zekku, when she is just a year old, but some families have passed their dolls down from generation to generation with the bride carrying her dolls with her to her new home.

Display of the Dolls• Aside from the displays, Japanese

used to go view the peach blossoms coming out, drink sake with a blossom in it, and bathe in water with the blossoms. The blossoms represent desirable feminine qualities, including serenity, gentility, and equanimity.

• 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.

• These dolls are called Dairi-sama. They are attired in the traditional court costumes of ancient Japan.

About the Dolls• The dolls, called hina ningyo, vary

in size and price.

• 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.

About the Dolls

• 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.

Traditions

• 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.

Traditions

• Now, some people also serve more modern treats. Small sets of chocolate Hina Matsuri dolls are becoming very popular.

• Also traditional refreshments such as rice cakes and rice wine is served.

• 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.

Dolls

• An inexpensive set of hina dolls can be purchased for $150 - $200.

• A full set usually costs between $400 and $10,000 depending on the size and quality.

• The most popular sets generally cost around $700. The sets you will see in museums are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on their age and quality.

• A small set of hina dolls makes a very nice souvenir or a special gift.

Bibliography

• http://www.2camels.com/doll-festival.php

• http://www.watanabesato.co.jp/jpculture/hinamatsuri/hina.html

• http://www.thejapanfaq.com/celebrations.html

• www.google.com (for pictures)