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| japanese: girls' day |
The Japanese tradition, "Hinamatsuri" or Girls' Day is celebrated on March 3rd (the
3rd day of the 3rd month) and is an occasion to pray for a young girl's growth and
happiness. Hinamatsuri comes from the ancient Chinese who believed that the sins
of the body and any misfortunes could be transferred to a doll and washed away by
setting the doll adrift in a river. When this practice spread to Japan, it was linked to
girls playing with dolls in the Edo Period (1603-1876) and developed into
Hinamatsuri.
Onna so Sekku, which translates to "Girls' Festival", is usually celebrated with
parents or grandparents presenting a set of hina dolls to their daughter or
granddaughter at birth or on her first birthday, and these traditionally become a part
of her bridal trousseau. These ceremonial dolls have been handed down
generations, and are displayed in the best room of the house for about a week.
However, they are quickly put away at the end of the day on March 3rd, as leaving
the dolls out beyond that date is considered unlucky and may lead to delay in a
girl's marriage. The dolls are carefully rewrapped and packed away, not to be seen
until the next Hinamatsuri.
A set of Hina-dolls usually consists of at least 15 dolls, all in the ancient costumes.
The display also includes miniature household articles which often are exquisite
artistic productions. The dolls most highly valued are the Dairi-sama, which
represent the Emperor and Empress in resplendent court costumes of silk. They are
attended by two ministers, three kanjo (court ladies), and five court musicians. All
are displayed on a tier of steps, usually five, long and covered with bright red cloth.
The Imperial Couple occupy the top step, the Emperor at the left of the Empress.
Court ladies and banquet trays and dishes occupy the second tier; the other dolls
are arranged on the lower tiers.
Hinamatsuri used to be one of the very few occasions when little Japanese girls had
their own parties. It was customary for them to invite their friends to these parties at
which they also ate the sweets and food offered to the dolls. Celebrating Girls' Day
is a wonderful way to introduce Japanese-American girls to the history and
traditions of Japan. We've included some recipes and information about a game,
Otedama, that you can use to celebrate this fun occasion!
3rd day of the 3rd month) and is an occasion to pray for a young girl's growth and
happiness. Hinamatsuri comes from the ancient Chinese who believed that the sins
of the body and any misfortunes could be transferred to a doll and washed away by
setting the doll adrift in a river. When this practice spread to Japan, it was linked to
girls playing with dolls in the Edo Period (1603-1876) and developed into
Hinamatsuri.
Onna so Sekku, which translates to "Girls' Festival", is usually celebrated with
parents or grandparents presenting a set of hina dolls to their daughter or
granddaughter at birth or on her first birthday, and these traditionally become a part
of her bridal trousseau. These ceremonial dolls have been handed down
generations, and are displayed in the best room of the house for about a week.
However, they are quickly put away at the end of the day on March 3rd, as leaving
the dolls out beyond that date is considered unlucky and may lead to delay in a
girl's marriage. The dolls are carefully rewrapped and packed away, not to be seen
until the next Hinamatsuri.
A set of Hina-dolls usually consists of at least 15 dolls, all in the ancient costumes.
The display also includes miniature household articles which often are exquisite
artistic productions. The dolls most highly valued are the Dairi-sama, which
represent the Emperor and Empress in resplendent court costumes of silk. They are
attended by two ministers, three kanjo (court ladies), and five court musicians. All
are displayed on a tier of steps, usually five, long and covered with bright red cloth.
The Imperial Couple occupy the top step, the Emperor at the left of the Empress.
Court ladies and banquet trays and dishes occupy the second tier; the other dolls
are arranged on the lower tiers.
Hinamatsuri used to be one of the very few occasions when little Japanese girls had
their own parties. It was customary for them to invite their friends to these parties at
which they also ate the sweets and food offered to the dolls. Celebrating Girls' Day
is a wonderful way to introduce Japanese-American girls to the history and
traditions of Japan. We've included some recipes and information about a game,
Otedama, that you can use to celebrate this fun occasion!
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