Hinamatsuri in Japanese Families

The doll festival has been a Japanese tradition for more than 1000 years. Families who have girls display hina-dolls around March 3rd, and will put all the dolls back to the boxes usually not later than March 10th.

During the Hinamatsuri, my friend had chance to visit a Japanese family, who has 3 girls. The family was displaying a big set of Hina-dolls in their Tatami(畳) room to wish their daughters health and happiness (Seven Tier of Steps).

The dolls are not the everyday play dolls, a heritage of the household, handed down, many of them, from generation to generation. The grand parents love to buy new sets of dolls for a grand girl baby born as a gift.

A set of Hina-dolls usually consists of at least 15 dolls, all in the ancient costumes. 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 their two ministers, three kanjo (court ladies), and five court musicians. All are displayed on a tier of steps(usually five) from 3 to 6 ft. long and covered with bright red cloth.