What are the customs of the Hinamatsuri in Japan? Commentary along with the origin of Hina dolls and Momo no Sekku

Hinamatsuri history and customs

First of all, I will explain the origin of the Hinamatsuri, the etymology of "Hina" and modern customs.

Origin of the Hinamatsuri Festival

It is said that the origin of the Hinamatsuri comes from the event of making paper dolls and throwing them into the sea or river in the middle of the Heian period to avoid injury.

Even now, it seems that customs such as "nagashibina" still remain in some areas.

Etymology of "Hina"

In Kada, Wakayama City, there is "Awashima Shrine" which is famous for the memorial service of Hina dolls. At Awashima Shrine, Sukuna Hikona no Mikoto is enshrined as a deity, and it is said that it is beneficial for women's illness recovery and safe delivery. It is said that "Hikona" in "Sukuna Hikona" turned into the etymology of "Hina".

In addition, there are various theories that it is said that "Hiina" turned into "Hina" because the dolls that girls play in the Heian period were called "Hiina".

Hinamatsuri customs in modern times

In modern Hinamatsuri, it is customary to decorate Hina dolls with the wish that girls will grow up healthy and be happy, rather than purifying or harae. It is common to serve hina-arare and rice cakes with peach blossoms, and sometimes have a celebration or dinner between March 2 and 3, and at the dinner, chirashizushi and amazake (white sake ), Clam soup, etc. will be served.

Decorating the Hina dolls has the meaning of "feeling the happiness of the child" of the parent who gave the daughter and protecting the woman from difficulties.

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History and transition of Hina dolls

When and how did the Hina dolls, which are the symbol of the Hinamatsuri and also play a role in keeping girls away from disasters, permeate the lives of Japanese people? Let's take a look at its origin and history.

Origin of Hina dolls

The origin of the Hina dolls is the "Joshi-setsu" festival in China, and the "Nagashibina" event, in which dolls that receive disasters and troubles on behalf of people are sent to the river, are held in the Imperial Palace during the Heian period. It is said that it was born from a combination of several events, such as one of the popular doll games, "Hina Asobi".

Joshi-setsu is "the day of the beginning of March", and the ones who had been doing bad things with the idea that bad things would not happen at the turning point of the season changing from winter to spring were transmitted to Japan, " It seems that playing with the aristocrats has changed to an event of "wishing for the happiness of girls with Hina dolls".

It was during the Edo period that things changed from flowing to decorating

After the Heian period, as the era changed from the samurai society to the Edo period, the Edo Shogunate enacted five festivals. On May 5th, "Tango no Sekku" will celebrate the growth of boys, and on March 3rd, "Momo no Sekku" will celebrate the growth of girls.

Also, in the Edo period, craftsmen will develop doll-making techniques. The Hina dolls used for the Hinamatsuri have also changed to beautiful and elaborate ones, and gradually the Hina dolls have changed from being washed into the river to being cherished in the house.

Gorgeous Hina dolls are now added as one of the wedding tools when marrying to the samurai's house, and the house that can carry expensive Hina dolls can prove wealth, other than male and female chicks. With the addition of dolls and tall hina dolls, a shape similar to modern hina dolls will be completed.

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How to arrange the inner back and the dolls

"Ohina-sama" and "Odairi-sama", which are indispensable for Hina dolls, are sometimes called "Mebina" and "Obina". Regarding how to arrange the inner lining and the dolls, it is common to have the inner lining on the left and the dolls on the right, but in the ancient style, this is the opposite, and even now it is part of Kyoto etc. In some areas, the inner dolls are lined up on the right and the dolls are lined up on the left.

The difference in the arrangement of Hina dolls between the present and the past dates back to the Showa period. When the Taisho era changed to the Showa era, the coronation of the Emperor Showa was held. At this time, the emperor and the empress lined up in a Western style and took pictures.

In the Western style, men are lined up on the left and women are lined up on the right, so the current form is the same as the arrangement of the Emperor Showa and the Empress, which was changed by all the makers of Hina dolls in Tokyo. It is.

Reasons to decorate peach blossoms at the Doll's Festival

Finally, I will explain the origin of the Hinamatsuri called "Momo no Sekku" and the reason why the Hinamatsuri is decorated with peach blossoms.

Peach blossoms were said to have an amulet effect

Peach blossoms have been popular in Japan for a long time, but they are originally native to China. In China, it was once believed that peach fruits have amulets and evil powers, and even today, peach-shaped buns are often used for celebrations.

In Japan as well, peaches are considered to be auspicious, and since Hyakusai is also called "Momotose," it was regarded as a plant that symbolizes longevity.

Since the beginning of March of the lunar calendar was the best time to see peach blossoms, the Doll's Festival is used as the "Momo no Sekku" to decorate peach blossoms.

Peach blossoms are also the season word for spring, and the pretty pale pink petals overlap with the image of a little girl smiling somewhere in spring. Even today, peach blossoms are adorable flowers that are perfect for decorating the Doll's Festival.

Summary

The Hinamatsuri is a celebration held on March 3rd to wish for the happiness and growth of girls. It originated in Kamimi-bushi, China, and instead of people, dolls are asked to take disasters and flow into the river. It is derived from the doll "Hiina" that was played by girls in the palace during the period.

As the technique of making Hina dolls improved during the Edo period, Hina dolls began to be displayed at home, and peach blossoms, which are said to dispel evil spirits, were offered. Why don't you decorate the Hina dolls while thinking about the feelings and wishes of the people of the past at the next Momo no Sekku?

This article is a partial re-edit of the article published in Nihongo Biyori by KARUTA.
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