What is Hinamatsuri?
Hinamatsuri, also called Girl’s Day, is a special festival in Japan celebrated on March 3rd. It is a day to wish for the health and happiness of young girls. Families set up beautiful dolls called “hina ningyo” on a tiered display covered with red cloth. These dolls wear elegant clothes from the Heian period (about 1,000 years ago).
The History of Hinamatsuri
Hinamatsuri has been celebrated for many centuries. A long time ago, people believed that bad luck could be transferred to dolls. They used to float paper dolls down the river to carry away evil spirits. Over time, the festival changed, and families started displaying hina ningyo in their homes instead. Today, the festival is an important tradition for families with daughters.
The Hina Doll Display
The hina ningyo are arranged on a multi-tiered platform. At the top, there are two main dolls: the Emperor (Odairi-sama) and the Empress (Ohina-sama). They sit in front of a golden folding screen. Below them, there are court ladies, musicians, and samurai. Some displays have as many as seven levels, with tiny furniture, food, and decorations.
Families take great care of their dolls, as they are often passed down fromgeneration to generation. It is said that if you don’t put away the dolls quickly after March 3rd, your daughter might get married late!
Special Hinamatsuri Foods
During Hinamatsuri, people eat special foods to celebrate. One popular food is ”Chirashizushi“, a colorful sushi dish with rice, seafood, and vegetables. Another traditional treat is “Hina-arare“, small rice crackers in pink, white, and green. These colors represent spring, purity, and health. “Hishimochi“, a diamond-shaped rice cake, also has the same three colors.
A special drink called shirozake, a sweet white sake, is also enjoyed by adults. Kids drink amazake, a non-alcoholic version of shirozake, which is also sweet and warm.
A Festive Day for Families
Hinamatsuri is a happy time for families. Many families invite friends and relatives over to celebrate. Some communities also hold public Hinamatsuri events, displaying beautiful hina dolls in museums and shrines.
Here in Vancouver, we can enjoy Hinamatsuri. The Nikkei Centre displayed Hina dolls, and you can find more information here.
Hina Matsuri 雛まつり – Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre
Celebrate with Japanese Sake
+370946 UMENOYADO UMESHU
For adults, Hinamatsuri is a great time to enjoy traditional Japanese sake. A wonderful choice is UMENOYADO UMESHU, a fruity and sweet sake that pairs well with festive foods. Whether with family or friends, enjoying a glass of sake adds to the joy of this special day.
Hinamatsuri is more than just a festival—it’s a time to celebrate family, tradition, and the happiness of young girls. Even if you don’t have hina dolls at home, you can still enjoy the festive foods and take part in this beautiful Japanese tradition!
