Today is Hina Matsuri!

March 3rd is the day of the Doll's Festival called 'Hina Matsuri' in Japan.

This festival is a traditional event held to pray for girls' healthy growth. Families with girls display a set of hina dolls representing the Emperor, Empress, their servants, miniture furniture, and so forth, on a five or seven-tiered stand at home and make offerings of white sake and Hina-arare (snack). Today actually people tend to purchase a simple set which contains just Emperor and Empress, though. It isn't space-consuming and it's easy to care for.

In the Heian Period over 1000 years ago, people used to float dolls down the river. They believed the dolls would carry their impurities away. This custom started in the imperial court and spread to commoners around the Edo Period. In eventually became a festival celebrated nationwide. Though the festival was originally for both boys and girls, it is now just for girls.

Japanese doll makers release hina dolls every February. Each comes dressed in a traditional kimono similar to those of ancient Japanese court. Ordinarily grandparents on the girl's mother's side give hina dolls because it was one of trousseaus in the old days.

In Katsuura City, Chiba Prefecture, more than 10 thousand dolls are displayed during the festival. A hina parade featuring children dressed like hina dolls is also staged.

The Tokugawa Art Museum holds 'Hina Matsuri: Daimyo Doll's Festival - Dolls and Furniture' from February 3rd (Sat) to April 8th (Sun). Tokugawa ladies' hina dolls are displayed.

You may see this festival in shojo manga. Almost Japanese girls have their hina dolls. This festival is a common sight in February and March. Hina dolls are sold after Setsubun in department stores, toy stores and stuff. People hear the song in even supermarkets.

I used to enjoy the festival when I was a kid. But I grow lazy about displaying them in fact. It's very fun to look at beautiful dolls, though.