Japan Celebrates Femininity: Marks Annual Festival With A Delightful Array Of Exquisite ‘Hinamatsuri’ Dolls

Japan honored its female population today by celebrating this year’s spring tradition of “Hinamatsuri,” or “Doll Festival,” or “Girl’s Festival,” that also saw a spectacular “Doll Pyramid” exhibit, which was a dazzling array of exquisite ceramic dolls. The “Hina” dolls elaborately attired in the decorative robes of the ancient imperial court embody the lasting essence and spirit of an unceasingly radiant Japanese tradition.

The seven-meter high Pyramid, the tallest of its kind in Japan and erected in the central Japanese city of Konosu, also known as “Doll town,” managed to steal the spotlight with nearly 2,000 dolls showcased on its steps. These intricately-crafted statuettes are reported to have been voluntarily donated by more than 200 families from across Japan. The city of Konosu is said to have embraced the famous tradition of doll-crafting years ago and presently houses eminent artisans and craftsman epitomizing the art.

The Japanese traditionally associate Hinamatsuri with the birth of a daughter and celebrations constitute devotional prayers and good wishes dedicated for the continued happiness and well-being of young females in their family. Traditionally observed within households where elaborately decked Hinamatsuri dolls clothed in impressive imperial Japanese attire are set on display upon a red stage. The occasion also features strikingly-pulsating street exhibits as well as more lavishly orchestrated arrangements vivid enough to steal the sight of all and sundry during the days leading up to the occasion.

The family tradition involves setting up a step-altar on which to display the Emperor and Empress dolls, decorate the altar with stems of peach blossoms, and make characteristic offerings to them. According to Japanese custom, households with young daughters exhibit the dolls prominently for the allurement and appreciation of family members and guests. However, this arrangement ends almost immediately upon the conclusion of the event, reportedly owing to a superstition that the daughter of the house will have a hard time finding a husband if the dolls aren’t immediately put away prior to eventide.

March 3 is also referred to as the peach festival. The blossoms of the peach tree are believed to be associated with the advent of spring as well as serve as a deterrent against wicked and malicious spirits. This long held belief makes the former an integral component of the decorative art associated with the beauty and endearing charm of the Hinamatsuri festival.

According to ancient Japanese tradition, the history of Hinamatsuri began about 1,000 years ago. It originated as an early spring ritual associated with lasting spiritual purification and good health. Centuries ago the occasion revolved around offering prayers and entrusting every aspect of ill-health or misfortune to the dolls, and releasing them into the waters of a river or sea so as to expunge all spiritual impurities as they were washed away. The practice appears to have survived even now in certain remote rural communities where paper dolls are allowed to be swept away by the flowing currents for the explicit purpose of spiritual perfection and mortal well-being.

Hinamatsuri dolls are almost exclusively exhibited in households of families with a daughter. Traditionally, a set is handed down from one generation to the next so as to keep the ancient custom from fading away. Beautifully embellished costumes depicting the Heian period are displayed on the Hina dolls, representing the Emperor and the Empress of old. These representations are exhibited impressively on a platform that is often adorned with a red carpet. The platforms are typically structured as single or multiple-tiered stands.

The crafting of Hina dolls has been and remains a thriving industry in Japan to this day, as an occupation central to the celebration of the country’s ancient spring tradition. Among other prominent centers of doll making is Iwatsuki, which boasts innumerable shops showcasing various types of brilliantly-crafted ceramic dolls. According to locals, the construction of these figurines offers a fitting tribute to the continuous age-old traditional Japanese craft-work.

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