February 26, 2011

Doll Festival for girls.

It's becoming more and more like Spring.

Do you know Japanese festival called "Hina Matsuri"?

Hinamatsuri occurs on March 3 and is an occasion to pray for young girls' growth and happiness. Most homes with girls display dolls for the Doll's Festival and dedicate to them peach blossoms, rice cake cubes, special colored and diamond-shaped rice cakes, white sake, and other items.
The origin of hinamatsuri is an ancient Chinese practice in which the sin of the body and misfortune are transferred to a doll and washed away by setting the doll in a river to drift away. When this practice spread to Japan, it was linked to girl's playing with dolls and, in the Edo Period(1603-1867), was developed into the hinamatsuri.


In Takayama, the doll(Hina) festival is celebrated one month later then the traditional Doll's Day.
We celebrate the doll festival on the 3th of April.

Approximately one month before the festival day, traditional dolls are displayed at various locations in the city.

One of place which dispray the dolls is Hida Folk Village.
At the Maeda house, dolls are displayed at the Engawa.
"Engawa" is a narrow wooden passageway [deck] (along the edge of a house facing the garden).
You can sit back and get comfy with irori fireplace.




Date: 1st March- 3rd April.
Place: Various locations throughout the city, including tourist facilities and historic houses.
*Some of place need entry fee.

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