March 3 is the festival of little girls in Japan, a traditional festival called Hina Matsuri, we enjoy traditional food and pastries, presentation :
- Hina Matsuri, festival of dolls
- Hina Matsuri, festival of little girls
- What do we eat for the hina matsuri?
- The nagashi bina, drifting dolls
Hina Matsuri, dolls festival
On March 3, some Japanese little girls put on a kimono to celebrate Hina matsuri 雛祭り, with their families and friends. It is a traditional festival where sumptuous dolls are placed in a specific order on platforms representing the imperial court of the Heian era. These dolls are displayed in the homes. You will find them in some temples in full version, and from February to March in train stations and shopping malls. In general, they are dolls passed on from generation to generation, of a rather expensive value sometimes bought at the birth of the child. The two main characters, the emperor and the empress,“Dairisama” and “Ohinasama“, are on top of the stage, then the servants and so on… Nowadays, we can only be satisfied with these 2 characters because the whole collection is quite bulky. Saitama is the city where you can find more than 50 stores specialized in these dolls.
The altar of the dolls is decorated with a large red carpet and with peach blossoms announcing the arrival of spring in Japan. It is given the power to chase away evil spirits. According to the tradition, the dolls must be put away the same evening otherwise the daughter of the household will not be able to marry for one year or have a smooth wedding.
Hina Matsuri, festival of little girls
On this day, family and friends organize a party for them. Dressed in a kimono, they will receive gifts, sing, taste pastries and food and finally meditate in a Shinto shrine.
What do we eat for the hina matsuri?
A sakura mochi is a pastry made of glutinous rice and filled with a mixture of sugar and water anko
A hishi mochi, a diamond-shaped sticky rice pastry in three different colors, pink, white and green, which symbolizes fertility
Hina arare, small rice crackers of 5 different colors sweetened or with soy sauce, it depends on the region
A chirashi sushi , slices of raw fish scattered over rice. Temari sushi is also offered during this festival, it is a nigiri sushi (rice ball with a slice of raw fish on top) in the shape of a ball.
Ushiojiru, a clam broth. Clams symbolize unity and peace in a couple because its shells fit together perfectly when enclosed
To accompany these dishes, the sake sweet shirozake is offered to guests. There is also amazake of tôkashu, traditional beers with little or no alcohol made from rice
The nagashi bina, drifting dolls
In some regions, it is customary on March 3 for children to throw a couple made of paper or wood in a wicker basket into the sea or river. All the children’s ills are set adrift, and this helps to preserve them. From time immemorial, Japanese people think that dolls contain spirits, they are also believed to be good luck charms and to keep the children of the household in good health!
The hina matsuri is a traditional festival for children and the beliefs are very present. There is also a festival for boys in Japan on May 5, kodomo no hi.
