Dolls’ Festival
March 3
A day for girls and dolls
Japan is a land of many beautiful festivals. The Japanese word for
festival is matsuri. A favorite festival for girls is Hina Matsuri,
held on March 3. Hina is the Japanese name for a special set of dolls
that families with girls put on display on Hina Matsuri, or Dolls’
Festival. These dolls are not to play with. They are very valuable, and
are often handed down from mother to daughter.
The dolls are always arranged in a special way. Usually, the mother does
this for her daughter or daughters. A series of shelves,
On Dolls’ Festival, families with girls display a special set of
dolls that stand for the royal court of Japan.
looking much like steps, is set up. The stand is then covered with red
cloth.
On the top shelf, in the place of honor, are the emperor and the
empress. Below them are members of the royal court. First, there are
three ladies in waiting. Then there are five musicians, two officials,
and, finally, three guardsmen.
Placed among the dolls are tiny pieces of furniture, musical
instruments, and decorated boxes. There are also fresh peach blossoms
and food offerings, such as cakes and candy in the shape of fruits. In
the set shown here, there is even a tiny, horse-drawn carriage.
After the festival, everything is carefully packed away until the next
year.
The two most important dolls in the set stand for the emperor and the
empress of Japan.
