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Hina Matsuri, The Doll Festival
Hina Matsuri, also called Doll’s Day or Girl’s Day, is celebrated annually in Japan to celebrate girls' happiness, growth, and good health. In Japan, families with daughters mark the festival by displaying intricately crafted hina dolls dressed in ornate costumes several days before the festival. Visitors can view and take photos with a traditional display of hina dolls generously donated by the Dozono Family. Located in the Cathy Rudd Cultural Corner in the Jordan Schnitzer Japanese Arts Learning Center, the 5-tiered display represents the Emperor and Empress with members of the Imperial Court.
Hina Matsuri is said to have originated in the Heian period (794-1185), a time when people believed that dolls had the power to drive away evil spirits. Paper or straw hina dolls were set afloat on boats down the river and out to sea, sweeping away troubles and bad spirits. This tradition, called nagashi bina, still occurs in some regions in Japan. The tradition of displaying hina dolls at home began during the Edo period (1603-1868) and still occurs today. Traditionally, parents or grandparents purchase a set of hina dolls following the birth of a girl. In some instances, the dolls are passed down from previous generations.
An ikebana arrangement by Carolyn Alter, Head Teacher of the Ohara School of Ikebana’s Oregon Chapter, featuring peach blossoms, will accompany the display. Festival visitors may also sign up to participate in an ikebana class for children, learning the fundamental foundations of ikebana and creating their very own arrangement to take home. Finally, two family-friendly Hina Matsuri-themed performances by Kotori Kai Shamisen School and Takohachi will feature shamisen (three-stringed traditional Japanese musical instrument), dancing, and singing.