Momono Sekku

There are five seasonal festive days (five sekku) in a year. They are the days with the same odd number of month and day like 1-1 (January 1), 3-3, 5-5, 7-7, 9-9. March 3 was first called “Joshi,” but later it began to be called “Momono Sekku,” Peach Festival, since peach trees bloom beautifully at that time of year. 

It is also celebrated because peach trees were thought to be very lucky plants to drive the evil away.

Later, it got to be the day to pray for the healthy growth of girls.

Hina Dolls Play

“Hina” is the word used to mean “cute” in the Heian period. At that time, in the imperial court, girls often play dolls by using hand-made paper dolls. It was called “Hina” play. Later around the Edo period, the display of the dolls began to be placed in the house with young girls. As the time went on, the displays were getting gorgeous. 

The display of the dolls

The largest display is composed of seven platforms covered with red cloth. 

On the top, a male and a female doll dressed in gorgeous kimono are placed, representing the emperor and empress.

On the second from the top are seated three court ladies.

On the third, five musicians

On the fourth, two top ministers

On the fifth, three servants

On the sixth and seventh, miniatures of make-up boxes, carts, citrus tree, cherry tree etc. 

Other displaying types are made up of five platforms, three, or only one.

The display begins to be set after the middle of February, and it should be put aside soon after March 3. 

The position of the emperor doll (obina) and the empress doll (mebina)

Normally, the obina is seated on the right (facing on the left) and the mebina on the left (facing on the right). But in Kyoto, the positions are in the other way. This is because Kyoto, the ancient center of Japan, preserves the tradition of the imperial court, where the left thing was more valuable than the right.  

Kyoto Style

The food and drink special for Doll’s Day

Clam clear soup, Hisi rice cake (in the shape of a diamond), Hina rice cracker (made from broken pieces of Hisi rice cake), Chirashi sushi (sushi sprinkled on the top with ingredients like egg, shrimps and vegetables), and sweat sake. 

Okiage HIna in Hita

They are made of used cloth. Ordinary families couldn’t afford to get any gorgeous hina dolls. They made them by using the used things in the house. Only the face pictures were drawn by some picture experts like doll painters.