Hinamatsuri : Girl's Day in Japan

Hinamatsuri : Girl's Day in Japan

    

Image by brgfx on Freepik


    The Doll's Festival or Girls' Day, known as Hinamatsuri, is a traditional Japanese festival  that takes place annually on the 3rd of March. This celebration is focused to little girls and is symbolized by displaying a set of dolls which symbolize the Japanese imperial court.

History and Origins of Hinamatsuri Festival

    The history of Hinamatsuri goes back to Heian era (794-1185), and it was then called as Hina Nagashi, which translates to floating dolls. During this period, people would create paper dolls and float them down rivers in order to repel evil spirits and prevent bad luck. The festival underwent some changes and became a more ceremonial occasion, where the dolls were displayed on a special stand, called as hinadan in homes and public areas. in the Edo period(1603-1868) the custom of exhibiting dolls became more prevalent among the public and the festival was then known as Hinamatsuri.

How Hinamatsuri is celebrated

    Hinamatsuri is a festival where dolls representing the imperial court of Japan during the Heian period are put on display. A hinadan, which is a multi-tiered platform with the emperor and empress on the topmost tier, is used to arrange the dolls and court ladies, musicians, ministers, and other members of the imperial court are placed in the succeeding levels.

    Families with young daughters usually display the dolls in their homes and also public displays can also be seen in shrines, department stores, and other public places for a few weeks preceding the festival and are taken down immediately after the festival is over.

    Moreover, we can not forget about food. Chirashi-zushi which is a type of sushi with a variety of toppings. Hina-arare which is a sweet rice cracker, and shirozake which is a sweet sake made from fermented rice are some of the special foods that are enjoyed during this festival.

Customs and Traditions Associated with Hinamatsuri

    There are various customs and traditions that are observed during Hinamatsuri. Girls generally wear traditional kimonos and visit shrines and temples to pray for good health, luck, and happiness. Additionally, a special meal known as hina-matsuri ryori is enjoyed and this usually consists of chirashi-zushi, clam soup, and other seasonal dishes. This meal is often served with shirozake. In some parts of Japan, people also craft a particular type of doll called hina-ningyo which is made from rice flour and often displayed alongside the customary hinamatsuri dolls.

Conclusion

    To sum up, Hinamatsuri is an important Japanese holiday which honors small girls. It is recognized by a collection of dolls which symbolize Japanese royalty, along with various other customs like wearing traditional attire and praying for fortune. If you ever have the chance to participate in Hinamatsuri festival, it is an excellent way to gain insight into Japanese culture and its customs.

 


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