Background
The Japanese tradition, “Hinamatsuri” (also called Doll’s Day 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.
Celebration
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.
