HINAMATSURI (ひなまつり)

How was your HINAMATSURI?

We had HINAMATSURI (literally means Hina doll festival) on March 3rd.

HINAMATSURI is an occasion to pray for girl’s growth and happiness.

HINAMATSURI is celebrated each year on March 3rd and most families with girls display HINA dolls which is called HINA NINGYO. (HINA dolls)

Hina dolls are displayed at homes after SETSUBUN (around Feb 3rd which is the new year’s day in the calendar of the 24 solar terms )

The dolls depict the imperial court.

A full set of dolls includes ODAIRI-SAMA (the Emperor and the Empress), SANNIN-KANJYO (three court ladies), GONIN-BAYASHI (five court musicians), SADAIJIN (the minister on the left), UDAIJIN (the minister on the right) and SANNIN-JOUGO (three servants).

The seven-tiered Hina doll set take much space so many people display just two dolls on the top.

People eat traditional dishes like CHIRASHISUSHI, clam soup, SHIROZAKE (sweet white sake), HINA ARARE (rise cake cubes) and HISHIMOCHI (diamond-shaped rice cakes) on HIMATASURI.

It is said that if we don't put away the Hina dolls on March 3rd, the girl in the family will be late getting married.

If you are still decorating the dolls, it's time to put them away until next year!