HINA MATSURI
Some time in February families begin to unwrap and display a set of ornamental dolls called 'Hina-ningyō' (雛人形). These dolls lie at the heart of the 'Hina Matsuri' (雛祭り) celebrations on March 3rd.
In English it is known as "Doll’s Day" or "Girls’ Day".
Central to Hina Matsuri is a set of dolls, collectively known as 'Hinakazari' (雛飾り).
Traditionally girls received the main figures, a male doll 'Obina' (男雛) and female doll 'Mebina' (女雛), before their first birthday.
Even today an entire doll set can be fairly expensive!
Hina Matsuri evolved from 1 of the 'Go-sekku' (五節句), 5 events held on auspicious days throughout the year.
Imported by the imperial court from China, these festivals now coincide with the 1st January, 3rd March, 5th May, 7th July and 9th September.
Because peach trees flowered around the original date of the celebration, it was first known as the 'Peach Festival' (桃の節句 'Momo-no-Sekku').
When the Gregorian calendar was adopted the festival fell outside the blooming period, and so it was renamed 'Hana Matsuri' ('Flower Festival').
Originally for playing with, the expense of dolls gradually turned them into a decorative feature. A tiered doll stand called a 'Himadan' (雛壇) was created to keep the dolls from the reach of pawing hands.
The standard 'Himadan' has 7 tiers (ours has 5
), each shelf with a particular role.
#Japan
Each region and family has their own way of arranging the dolls (choosing what paraphernalia to include), but there is a loose set of rules I'll briefly mention.
Due to limited space and money, many families have smaller sets that may include only the main dolls.
In Kyōto the mebina sits to the left, in Kanto the mebina is typically on the right of the obina.
TOP PLATFORM:
The imperial dolls 'dairi-bina' (内裏雛), between 'bonbori' (雪洞) lampstands.
The male doll, known as 'obina', 'tono' (殿) or 'odairi-sama' (御内裏様), holds a ritual baton (笏).
The female doll, known as 'mebina', 'hime' (姫) or 'ohina-sama' (御雛様), holds a fan.
2ND TIER:
Three court ladies 'san-nin kanjo' (三人官女), 2 standing and 1 sitting, (typically) serve saké to the imperial dolls. They hold serving utensils and a table.
Between the ladies are 'takatsuki' (高坏 -stands with round table-tops), piled with seasonal sweets.
3RD TIER:
Five male musicians 'gonin bayashi' (五人囃子):
*Small drum (太鼓 'taiko')-seated.
*Large drum (大鼓 'ōtsuzumi')-standing.
*Hand drum (小鼓 'kotsuzumi')-standing.
*Flute (笛/横笛 'fue' or 'yokobue')-seated.
*Singer (謡い方 'utaikata'), holding a folding fan-standing.
4TH TIER:
Either bodyguards (of the emperor) or ministers 'daijin' (大臣): 'Minister of the Right' (右大臣 'udaijin') and 'Minister of the Left' (左大臣 'sadaijin'-older because he's senior).
They are usually flanked by a mandarin tree (右近の橘) and a cherry blossom tree (左近の桜).
