The Hina Matsuri [雛祭り] is a festival that takes place on the 3rd of March to wish the healthy and prosperous growth of young girls. During this time, ornamental dolls called Hina Ningyo [雛人形] are displayed on tiered steps which is covered in red cloth. Video below provides a better view than these photos which I took at Ikaho Hot Springs.
The 2 dolls on the top tier represent the Emperor and Empress. The second tier displays court ladies and the third tier displays musicians. Not all Hina platforms are displayed like this however and can just be filled with a load of dolls on each tier.
The Hina Matsuri tradition started during the Heian period in Kyoto where daughters of noble families would play with the dolls. It wasn't until the Edo period however when the tradition really started to take off across Japan with folks displaying the Hina dolls on the steps covered in red cloth.
Traditionally, Hina dolls are said to absorb evil spirits in place of your real 3D daughter. As the Hina dolls contain evil spirits, they shouldn't be kept around for too long as your real daughter would not be able to get married happily. Thus the Hina dolls should be put away soon after the Hina Matsuri.
During the Heian period, Hina dolls made out of paper were set afloat on a river which would later be collected and burned.
Speaking of girls, which would you prefer to have if you had kids?
There is a poll embedded in this article.
There is a poll embedded in this article.
As for me - either but unfortunately the good lord has not blessed us with kids yet. How many folks do you know who have had more than 3 miscarriages? Doctors only say 5% of women have miscarriages but from asking friends it seems much much higher than that.
Today there are a load of shops doing special Hina Matsuri menu items like Cozy Corner - this cake looks so good!
"Chirashi Sushi" is a rice dish with various types of seafood sprinkled on top and is a dish that one eats to celebrate the Hina Matsuri festivity.
And here is the Moe Calendar for March which features Hina Matsuri. The wallpaper lives here. There is actually a lot of meaning behind this illustration. Soon.
Previous months wallpapers are listed up below.
And as you may know already, its Mirai-chan's birthday today ^o^
