A Japanese tradition from mother to daughter
- by MaedaYumiko
- 4 min reading time
March 3rd is a traditional holiday in Japan called Hinamatsuri .
Hinamatsuri is a festival where prayers are offered for the health and happy upbringing of girls. On this occasion , Hina dolls are displayed as representatives of the child, symbolizing protection and celebrating well-being.
The origins of this festival date back to the early Edo period, when the Jōshi no Sekku (also known as the Peach Festival) was officially established on March 3rd. From the mid-Edo period onward, it evolved into a widespread festival specifically for girls.
The Jōshi no Sekku is one of the five traditional annual festivals that were brought to Japan from China. In the old lunar calendar, the third day of the third month was considered the first "Snake Day" of the year. On this day, it was believed that misfortune and impurities could be driven away through ritual washings in water, followed by a feast.
From this custom arose the tradition of displaying Hina dolls at a girl's first Hinamatsuri (birthday celebration). These dolls were meant to symbolically take on the misfortunes of the past year and ensure the child a healthy and safe start to the new year. For this reason, the Hina dolls are displayed anew each year, imbued with the wishes and thoughts of the family.
I too remember how, in my childhood, my parents would set up the Hina dolls for my sister and me, and we would celebrate Hinamatsuri in a small family circle.
Today I live in Berlin. However, since it would be risky to bring my own Hina dolls here from Japan, I chose a smaller set for my daughter that is easy to transport and store, and I set it up for her every year.
A special feature of Hina dolls is the magnificent and extremely artistic clothing they wear.
The male doll (Odairi-sama) wears a Sokutai , while the female doll (Ohina-sama) wears a Jūnihitoe – both formal court robes from the Heian period, worn at ceremonies at the imperial court. I personally consider this era one of the most beautiful and fashionably sophisticated periods in Japanese kimono culture.
The fact that these garments, which are hardly ever actually worn today, are passed down to the present day in the form of dolls is what makes the Hina dolls so special.
During my time working in Kyoto, I had several opportunities to participate in the dressing of Sokutai and Jūnihitoe. This made me realize how complex this clothing is – it is by no means easy to put on and follows numerous strict rules. It was precisely this that made me understand that these are garments of the nobility, which I found extremely fascinating.
Besides the imperial couple, the Hina dolls include other figures such as the San-nin Kanjo (three ladies-in-waiting), the Go-nin Bayashi (five musicians), the Zuijin (bodyguards), and the Shichō (servants). Each of these figures has its own significance.
The three ladies-in-waiting served the Empress and had been taking care of her upbringing and daily life since her childhood.
The five musicians play instruments and sing to provide a festive accompaniment for weddings.
The Zuijin were armed guards of the nobility and roughly assumed the role of today's bodyguards.
The Shichō were responsible for everyday tasks. Their faces show different emotions such as joy, sadness, or anger, reflecting their status and humanity.
Hina dolls are beautifully and lovingly crafted, each with its own unique expression and character. They have been cherished in Japan for generations.
Hinamatsuri falls during the beginning of spring, and the dolls are often decorated with plum blossoms. The transition from winter to spring symbolizes renewal, growth, and new life—fittingly reflecting the wish for a healthy future for girls.
When I set up the Hina dolls together with my daughter, my own heart becomes lighter and happier every year.
There's an old saying that girls will marry later if the Hina dolls are still displayed after March 3rd. This, too, is a relic of earlier values. Today, there are many different perspectives, but it is precisely such traditions that demonstrate the depth and complexity of Japanese culture.