My Daughter’s First Hinamatsuri— Japan’s Girls Day

Last month, I noticed my mother-in-law decorating the house with a 7-tier display of hina dolls. Curious, I asked her about it, and she explained that it was for the Hinamatsuri festival, which celebrates the well-being and future happiness of my daughter, including her future marriage.

As a mother, I felt deeply grateful and moved by this gesture from my mother-in-law, who took the time to decorate our home with this beautiful tradition. Her arrangement of hina dolls filled our home with joy and a sense of family heritage, creating a loving environment for our daughter.

In this article, I will talk about Hinamatsuri, also known as Japan's Girls' Festival. I'll look into the meaning of the traditional hina dolls and share how this beloved celebration is typically observed.

Hinamatsuri, also known as Girls' Day or Dolls' Day, is a traditional Japanese festival with origins dating back over a thousand years to the Heian period (794–1185).

Initially, it started as a ritual to cleanse bad luck or impurities. Families would send paper or straw dolls down rivers, believing these dolls would carry away misfortunes, protecting their daughters' health and happiness.

As the tradition evolved, families began displaying elaborate sets of hina dolls in their homes. These sets typically include representations of the Emperor, Empress, attendants, musicians, and other court figures, all dressed in traditional Heian-period attire. Each doll symbolizes virtues that families wish upon their daughters, such as fertility, prosperity, and successful marriages.

Peach blossoms are another significant part of the festival. They are believed to ward off evil spirits and are often displayed alongside the hina dolls to further protect against misfortune.

Hinamatsuri is celebrated annually on March 3rd, marking the transition from winter to spring. Families typically set up their hina doll displays a few weeks before the festival, adding traditional accessories and offering ceremonial foods like chirashi sushi (a mix of sushi rice with various toppings) and hishimochi (three-layered rice cakes).

On Hinamatsuri, families pray for the health and happiness of their daughters and make offerings to ensure their well-being. It's also a time for families to come together, share meals, and celebrate the special bond between parents and daughters.

Superstitions surrounding Hinamatsuri, the Girls' Day festival in Japan, are linked to customs and beliefs that aim to bring good fortune to daughters and families:

Timing of Display: It's believed that keeping hina dolls on display past March 4th could delay a daughter's marriage, as this is seen as bringing bad luck.

Offerings to the River: In some areas, people think bad luck can be washed away by offering paper dolls or other symbolic items to rivers. This practice, known as "hina-okuri," is sometimes part of Hinamatsuri rituals, reflecting the ancient tradition of purification.

Nail Cutting: Cutting one's nails on Girls' Day is considered unlucky. The superstition suggests that it could lead to severing relationships or causing discord.

Avoiding Embroidery: It's said that doing needlework or embroidery on Hinamatsuri could lead to difficulties in marriage or even spinsterhood, reflecting a belief that certain activities can influence one's future.

Covering Peach Blossoms: Peach blossoms, commonly displayed with the hina dolls, are thought to protect against evil spirits. Some people cover or remove them after Girls' Day to avoid attracting negative energy.

These superstitions emphasize the cultural significance of Hinamatsuri and reflect the hopes for health, happiness, and successful marriages for daughters. Although many are rooted in tradition, they add a unique charm to the festival and highlight the intricate customs that have developed over generations.

The seven-tiered doll set used during Hinamatsuri, Japan's Girls' Day festival, represents the traditional court structure of ancient Japan. Here's a breakdown of each tier and its symbolic significance:

Top Tier (Dairi-bina): This tier features the Empress (Hina-sama) and Emperor (Odairi-sama). The Empress is dressed in a junihitoe, a 12-layered kimono, and typically holds a fan or has her hands folded. The Emperor wears formal attire and sometimes carries a ceremonial sword. These figures represent the pinnacle of the imperial court.

Second Tier: This level has the Three Court Ladies (San-nin kanjo), elegantly dressed in kimono. Each lady holds a specific item or performs a task, such as pouring sake, symbolizing their role in attending to the Empress.

Third Tier: Here you'll find the Five Musicians (Gonin bayashi), representing traditional court entertainers. This group includes a flutist, two singers, a drummer, and a hand drummer. They reflect the court's musical heritage and entertainment customs.

Fourth Tier: This tier features Two Ministers (Ushioni-san), who represent court officials. They are typically portrayed holding courtly items like folding fans, indicating their roles in governance and administration.

Fifth Tier: The Three Servants (Sanshu no Jingi) represent attendants or pages in the imperial household. They might carry offerings, perform household tasks, or other supportive roles.

Sixth Tier: On this level, there's a Guardian (Tairi-bina) doll, a figure meant to protect the imperial household from evil spirits and misfortune. This tier underscores the role of protection and security within the court structure.

Seventh Tier: The final tier includes various accessories and decorations such as miniature furniture, cherry blossoms, lanterns, or folding screens. These items add aesthetic beauty and symbolize elements of traditional court life.

The seven-tiered doll set is a basic part of Hinamatsuri, holding deep cultural and emotional significance. It's believed that these dolls bring blessings of health, happiness, and prosperity, especially to daughters. The tradition of passing down doll sets from one generation to the next symbolizes continuity and the desire to bestow these blessings on future generations.

Modern Japanese celebrations of Hinamatsuri blend traditional customs with contemporary touches. Here's a snapshot of how we celebrated this year:

Hina Doll Displays: As mentioned earlier, my mother-in-law set up a traditional display of hina dolls a few weeks before March 3rd, the official day for Hinamatsuri. Although the classic seven-tiered sets are common, many households opt for smaller arrangements or even single dolls, depending on their space and preference. Along with the dolls, we decorated them with symbols like cherry blossoms and peach blossoms, which signify spring and new beginnings. Traditional items, such as lanterns, folding screens, and miniature furniture, added charm to the display.

Community Gathering and Making Oshimochi and Dango: I joined a weekly meetup with other moms to celebrate Hinamatsuri. During the event, a local Japanese teacher showed us how to make oshimochi (diamond-shaped rice cakes) and dango (sweet dumplings). After our cooking session, we enjoyed a delicious lunch featuring our homemade oshimochi and dango, along with a spread of chirashi sushi (rice with mixed toppings) and chawanmushi (steamed egg custard), both generously prepared by our teacher.

Family Celebration: On March 3rd, our family gathered for a special dinner to honor Hinamatsuri. The traditional menu included chirashi sushi, hishimochi (tri-colored rice cakes), hina-arare (colorful rice crackers), and sakura mochi (rice cakes wrapped in cherry leaves).

My mother-in-law made chirashi sushi for the adults, while I prepared a cheesy potato and broccoli gratin for my one-year-old daughter, as sushi wasn't suitable for her age.

I am truly thankful to have celebrated my daughter's first Hinamatsuri with family and friends and I wish all the girls around the world a life filled with love, happiness, prosperity, and endless energy.

To wrap up, I’d like to share a joyful Hinamatsuri song with you. It’s a joyful melody that celebrates our daughters and the love we share during this special festival. Check out the video to listen and celebrate with us.