Hina Matsuri is a holiday celebrated in Japan every year on March 3. It is also called the “Doll Festival”. Why this name? Due to the tradition of displaying porcelain dolls called hina-ningyō. This holiday is celebrated to honor young girls and wish them a happy and prosperous life.
The tradition of Hina Matsuri dates back centuries. But it evolved over time to become the event we know today. People used terracotta or wooden figurines for religious ceremonies during early hina matsuri celebrations. Over time, dolls became more decorative. And were, thus, made of porcelain to become the collector’s items that we know today.
The different dolls
Hina dolls are a central part of the Hina Matsuri celebration. There are several different doll sets. But the most common include a pair of imperial relatives, maids, musicians and samurai. The most elaborate doll sets can include up to 15 different pieces. The dolls are often dressed in traditional kimonos and elaborate hairstyles, and are displayed on a platform called a hina-dan. It very often happens that we can only be satisfied with the imperial couple.
At the top, we find the emperor on the left and the empress on the right.
On the second level are three court ladies carrying bottles of sake.
On the third step stand four musicians and a singer.
And on the three lower levels there are various characters.
Doll Festival: celebration
The Hina Matsuri celebration also has other elements. For example, traditional songs and dances, as well as special meals prepared for the occasion. Japanese families may also organize private parties for their only daughter. Indeed, they can invite their friends and family to celebrate. During this festival, we traditionally drink traditional beers with little or no alcohol content made from rice. We also eat hina arare, rice biscuits, and sushi. According to belief, the dolls must be put away on the evening of March 3, otherwise the daughter of the house will not be able to marry for a year.
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