Hinamatsuri

Hinamatsuri ("hina" is a doll, "matsuri" is a festival) is the Japanese doll festival. It is also called Girls' festival. It is held on the 3rd of March.

platform with ornamental dolls

The tradition is to put different ornamental dolls ("hina-ningyō") on special 7 level platform ("hina dan") covered with red cloth ("himosen"). "Dankake" or "mousen" is the name of a level in the platform.

Hinamatsuri has a long history. The tradition started in the Heian ("peace and tranquillity") period ("Heian jidai"). It was a period in Japanese history from 794 to 1185. It was period when Japanese imperial court reached its peak.

Japanese people used to believe that dolls can be alive and have bad spirit. Roots of the Hinamatsuri can be found in an old tradition called "hina nagashi" or "doll floating". People made straw hina dolls and set them floating down the river. They believed that this will take all troubles or bad spirits away from them.

Kamigamo Jinja - one of two Shimogamo Shrines

Very similar tradition is still observed in the Shimogamo Shrine (part of the Kamo Shrine complex located in city of Kyoto). They call it "Nagashibina". They used to put similar dolls in the area the Takano and Kamo rivers. It is done to pray for the safety of children. But due to the fact that local fishermen often "caught" the dolls in their nets they now organize the tradition at sea. When the audience, who always gather to watch everything, leaves organizers pick all the dolls from the sea. They bring them back to the temple and burn them there.

amazake drink

Hinamatsuri, as most of other traditions, have close relations with world of cuisine. On Hinamatsuri Japanese drink "amazake". What is it? It is sweet, non-alcoholic drink made from fermented rice.

chirashizushi

And the food? Well, there are several dishes that are served. "Arare" are crackers flavoured with some soya sauce. Chirashizushi is very popular too. It is made of sushi rice with some sugar, vinegar, raw fish and a several other ingredients. They are as always chef's little secret. There is more. When in Japan during Hinamatsuri you must also try a special soup made of soya sauce and clams. Clam shell have symbolic meaning. Japanese think of them as symbols of united, ideal couple.

arare crackers

Let's now tell few words about dolls which are placed on the platform ("hina dan").

On top layer people put two Imperial dolls ("da-i-ri-bi-na"). These dolls represent the Emperor ("O-dairi-sama") and Empress ("O-hina-sama"). Behind these dolls there is usually "byōbu" or gold folding screen.

Between the dolls people put acessories known as "sanbou kazari". They include two wases ("kuchibana"). Some more objects can be put on this level – "bonbori" or lampstands and "hibukuro" or silk lanterns. Hibukuro often has beautiful cherry or plum blossom patterns.

Emperor Doll and two court ladies

The level two includes three dolls representing court ladies ("san-nin kanjo"). Each of these dolls holds objects used when drinking sake. Each lady has different function. Both lady on the left and right are standing. The lady in the middle is sitting. The lady on the right is the "long-handled sake-bearer" or "Nagae no choushi". The lady or the left is "the backup sake-bearer" or "Kuwae no choushi". And the lady in the middle is sake bearer or "Sanpou".