A couple of years ago I posted a number of blogs on fun holidays or festivals here in the U.S, and around the world. The one I really enjoyed, as a doll maker, is the Doll’s Festival in Japan. I am in need for some fun right now so I thought I would repost it again. I might even make a doll on that day.
In Japan on March 3rd, the Hina Matsuri, Doll’s Festival, is celebrated. This is a day to pray for a young girl’s growth and happiness. On this day girls host a party of tea and poetry for their friends and they serve little pink and green diamond shaped mochi (rice) cakes.
At the party is a display of dolls. These aren’t dolls that the girls play with everyday but instead heirlooms that have been passed down for generations. The display is a tier of shelves with dolls representing the members of the imperial court in ancient court costumes as well as pieces of furniture, small meal dishes and other things.
This used to be one occasion when little girls had their own parties. The set was brought out for the day and quickly put away after March 3rd. (It was thought that if it was not put away immediately the girl would have trouble marrying.)
No one really knows where the origin of this holiday came from but it is thought that it actually started with the Shinto religion. On March 3rd a folded paper doll resembling a kimono known as a Kata Shiro would be cast into water and with it the user’s sins, illness and bad luck.
I like the idea of a day to pray for young girls (there is a similar day for boys in May) but what really intrigues me is the doll display. I have one baby doll of my mother’s and much of her miniature doll furniture. I actually have some of the pieces displayed on furniture in my living room. The furniture while made of plastic is very well made. My favorite piece is a sewing machine which folds down into a cabinet just like the old Singer sewing machines did. And when you turn the knob on the side of the machine, the little “needle” goes up and down.
Maybe if there is a special little girl in your life, you could tell her about the Doll Festival and find a way to display her dolls or toys on March 3rd. The dolls and toys might not have the significance of an imperial court but it might show her that her possessions are just as important as she is.
©2018, 2021- Cheryl E. Fillion
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