雛祭り Girl’s Day/Doll Festival

Celebrated March 3 Platform with red fabric used to display dolls The dolls are usually placed in front of a miniature gold folding screen.

March 3

Platform with red fabric used to display dolls

The dolls are usually placed in front of a miniature gold folding screen.

Levels of the Platform The top tier holds two dolls representing the Emperor ( お内裏さま , O-Dairi-sama) and Empress ( お雛さま , O-Hina-sama). The second tier holds three court ladies ( 三人官女 , San-nin kanjo). Each holds a sake-filler. The third tier holds five male musicians ( 五人囃し , Go-nin bayashi). Each holds a musical instrument except the singer, who holds a fan. On the fourth, fifth, and lower tiers, a variety of miniature furniture, tools, carriages, etc. are displayed. Two ministerial dolls, ( 大臣 Daijin) may be displayed to the right ( 右大臣 Udaijin--Right Minister) and left ( 左大臣 Sadaijin--Left Minister) of the fourth tier.

The top tier holds two dolls representing the Emperor ( お内裏さま , O-Dairi-sama) and Empress ( お雛さま , O-Hina-sama).

The second tier holds three court ladies ( 三人官女 , San-nin kanjo). Each holds a sake-filler.

The third tier holds five male musicians ( 五人囃し , Go-nin bayashi). Each holds a musical instrument except the singer, who holds a fan.

On the fourth, fifth, and lower tiers, a variety of miniature furniture, tools, carriages, etc. are displayed. Two ministerial dolls, ( 大臣 Daijin) may be displayed to the right ( 右大臣 Udaijin--Right Minister) and left ( 左大臣 Sadaijin--Left Minister) of the fourth tier.

Origin and Customs began during the Heian period people believed the dolls possessed the power to contain bad spirits, and would thus protect the owner traces its origins to an ancient Japanese custom called ( 雛流し , Hina-nagashi, lit. doll floating) In hina-nagashi straw hina dolls are set afloat on a boat and sent down a river to the sea, supposedly taking troubles or bad spirits with them The Shimogamo Shrine (part of the Kamo Shrine complex) in Kyoto celebrates the Nagashibina by floating these dolls between the Takano and Kamo Rivers to pray for the safety of children. Hokyo Temple (on Teranouchi, a few meters east of Horikawa) in Kyoto, the "doll capital of Japan" hosts a doll exhibition from its collection each year for ¥500

began during the Heian period

people believed the dolls possessed the power to contain bad spirits, and would thus protect the owner

traces its origins to an ancient Japanese custom called ( 雛流し , Hina-nagashi, lit. doll floating)

In hina-nagashi straw hina dolls are set afloat on a boat and sent down a river to the sea, supposedly taking troubles or bad spirits with them

The Shimogamo Shrine (part of the Kamo Shrine complex) in Kyoto celebrates the Nagashibina by floating these dolls between the Takano and Kamo Rivers to pray for the safety of children.

Hokyo Temple (on Teranouchi, a few meters east of Horikawa) in Kyoto, the "doll capital of Japan" hosts a doll exhibition from its collection each year for ¥500

Origin and Customs (Food) Drink 甘酒 ( amazake) a sweet, non-alcoholic version of sake made from fermented rice Food あられ (colored arare) bite-sized crackers flavored with soy sauce

Drink

甘酒 ( amazake) a sweet, non-alcoholic version of sake made from fermented rice

Food

あられ (colored arare) bite-sized crackers flavored with soy sauce

Superstitions If the family forgets to retire the whole set before the night of March 4, the girl will not marry before the next year

If the family forgets to retire the whole set before the night of March 4, the girl will not marry before the next year

A Japanese Fish Market Fish is highly eaten on hinamatsuri