Hina Matsuri

By: Olivia/5C

The Tradition

The name of this tradition is Hina Matsuri. This tradition is also known as Doll Festival or Girl's Festival.

The Place

This tradition comes from Japan and also happens in Japan. Japan has the world’s tenth-largest population, with over 127 million people. The celebration takes place both inside the home and at the seashore. The best place to experience Hina Matsuri in Wakayama prefecture is at Kada shrine. Its right by the shore and the priests host the Hina Matsuri there every year.

The People Who Celebrate

Girls/daughters in Japan celebrate this celebration. A girl’s first “Girls’ Day” is called her hatzu-zekku. On girl’s hatzu-zekku it is very popular for the girl’s grandparents to buy her a display.

When It Happen

Every year on March 3rd, Japanese society celebrates Hina Matsuri. Popularly known as the doll’s festival, it is a holiday when families give good wishes for the health and happiness of the girls in their lives.

The Purpose

In this day, Japanese families pray for the happiness and prosperity of their girls and to help ensure that they grow up healthy and beautiful. They believe that this tradition can ward off evil spirits from girls.

The Equipments

The equipment and materials that they use are girls display "hina-ningyo" (special dolls for Hinamatsuri) and dedicate peach blossoms.

The StepsThere are some steps to do in the tradition:

Display girls display "hina-ningyo" (special dolls for Hinamatsuri).

They are usually arranged on a five or seven-tiered stand covered with a red carpet. At the top are the Emperor and Empress.

The next step contains three court ladies (sannin-kanjo), followed by five musicians (gonin-bayashi), two ministers (udaijin and sadaijin), and three servants ending the bottom row in a five-tiered display.

There are also small pieces of furniture, small meal dishes, and other things.

These are the steps use in the girls’ dolls.