#marchdecorations

Essential Japanese Seasonal Decorations - Spring

Seasonality: Mid Spring/ March

Japanese Name: Hina-ningyo/ Bonbori/ Hishimochi/ Hina Matsuri/ Momo no Sekku

English Name: Hina-dolls/ Paper Pole-Lantern/ Diamond-shaped Mochi/ Doll’s Festival/ Peach Festival

Hina-ningyo (雛人形) is the name for Hina dolls. In this decoration, the figures simulate the topmost tier of most Hina dolls displays, which holds two dolls, known as the imperial palace dolls (内裏雛 dairi-bina). These are the Emperor (男雛 O-bina) holding a ritual baton (笏 shaku) and Empress (女雛 Me-bina) holding a fan. Optional are the two lampstands, called bonbori (雪洞). The traditional Kansai style arrangement had the male on the right, while modern Kanto style arrangements had him on the left (from the viewer's perspective). It also features hishimochi (菱餅), or diamond-shaped mochi sweets.

Hina Matsuri (雛祭り), also known as Momo no Sekku (桃の節句), traces its origins to a Heian period custom called hina-nagashi (雛流し, lit. "doll floating"), in which straw hina dolls are set afloat on a boat and sent down a river to the sea, supposedly carrying away one's troubles or bad spirits. The customary drink for the festival is shirozake, a sake made from fermented rice. A colored hina-arare, bite-sized crackers flavored with sugar or soy sauce depending on the region, and hishimochi, a diamond-shaped colored rice cake, are served. Chirashizushi (sushi rice flavored with sugar, vinegar, topped with raw fish and a variety of ingredients) is often eaten. A salt-based soup called ushiojiru containing clams still in the shell is also served. Clam shells in food are deemed the symbol of a united and peaceful couple, because a pair of clamshells fits perfectly, and no pair but the original pair can do so.  Families generally start to display the dolls in February and take them down immediately after the festival. Superstition says that leaving the dolls past March 4 will result in a late marriage for the daughter.

(Text Source 1)

Essential Japanese Seasonal Decorations - Spring

Seasonality: Mid Spring/ March

Japanese Name: Hina-ningyo/Tachi-bina/ Hina-matsuri/ Momo no Sekku/ Momo no hana

English Name: Hina-dolls/Standing-dolls/Doll’s Festival/ Peach Festival/ Peach Blossoms

    Hina-ningyo (雛人形) is the name for Hina dolls. In this decoration, the two dolls are known as the imperial palace dolls (内裏雛 dairi-bina). These are the Emperor (男雛 O-bina) holding a ritual baton (笏 shaku) and Empress (女雛 Me-bina) holding a fan. The type of hina dolls on this decoration are known as tachi-bina (立雛), or “standing dolls.” They’re an old style of children’s dolls that were made of special materials for early Edo period hina-matsuri displays.

     Hina Matsuri (雛祭り), also known as Momo no Sekku (桃の節句), traces its origins to a Heian period custom called hina-nagashi (雛流し, lit. “doll floating”), in which straw hina dolls are set afloat on a boat and sent down a river to the sea, supposedly carrying away one’s troubles or bad spirits. The customary drink for the festival is shirozake, a sake made from fermented rice. A colored hina-arare, bite-sized crackers flavored with sugar or soy sauce depending on the region, and hishimochi, a diamond-shaped colored rice cake, are served. Chirashizushi (sushi rice flavored with sugar, vinegar, topped with raw fish and a variety of ingredients) is often eaten. A salt-based soup called ushiojiru containing clams still in the shell is also served. Clam shells in food are deemed the symbol of a united and peaceful couple, because a pair of clamshells fits perfectly, and no pair but the original pair can do so.  Families generally start to display the dolls in February and take them down immediately after the festival. Superstition says that leaving the dolls past March 4 will result in a late marriage for the daughter.

     Momo no Hana (桃の花), a.k.a. peach blossoms, the namesake flower of the celebration that later became known as Hina Matsuri, play a special function on this day. The peach is a symbol of long life, and the Japanese believe it carries the traits of composure, tranquility and gentility. Peach blossoms are also a symbol of a happy marriage, and young women place them in their homes for good luck and happiness when they get married. On Hina Matsuri day, time is taken to bestow wishes for good fortune and marriage in the future to young women in the family.

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