March 3rd is Girls' Day, "Hina-Matsuri"

March 3rd is Hina-Matsuri, which is the Doll's Festival or Girls' Day in Japan. Japanese families who have girls display Hina dolls to wish and celebrate growth and happiness of the girls. (But we have to go to school and work... I think it should be holiday...)
日本では３月３日はひな祭り。女の子の健やかな成長をお祝いする日です。（ですがこの日は祝日ではありません、学校も仕事もアリです。）

At Meguro Gajoen, which is close to our studio, Hina-dolls exhibition is currently held. There are about 1,000 dolls from north-east Japan, I think it is pray for recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake. I saw hina-dolls once washed away by Tsunami, which was impressive. 
スタジオ近くの目黒雅叙園で雛人形展「百段雛まつり」をやっていたので見に行ってきました。今年は復興の祈りも込めて岩手、宮城、福島の東北３県から約1,000体の雛人形が展示されていました。津波から生還した雛人形もあって感慨深いものでした。



Since photography was prohibited there, I took this photo at the entrance of Meguro Gojoen, not exhibit room. This is typical Hina-dolls. Emperor and Empress in beautiful kimono are displayed on the top of the shelf, people in ancient court were displayed under them. 
ちなみに写真は禁止なのでこれは雅叙園のエントランスに飾ってあるものです。真ん中にあるのは典型的な雛人形。一番上はお内裏様とお雛様、その下に宮廷の人たちが飾られています。



This is Empress.

横にあるのは吊るし雛。昔、裕福ではない家庭では雛人形は高価だったので家族や親戚で小さな人形を作って飾ったのが始まりだそうです。一つ一つの人形に子供の幸せを願う意味があるんですよ。
The dolls on the side is hanging Hina-dolls. These were used to be made by non-rich family or relatives, who could not afford expensive Hina-dolls with shelves long time ago, and they had started to make the dolls by themselves. Each doll has meaning for wish of their girls' happiness. 

For example, the rabbit is a peaceful animal but their red eyes can ward off the evil spirits. Ground cherry has efficacy of medicine and can be good-luck charm. 
例えばうさぎは平和を好む動物で赤い目は魔除けだそうです。ほおずきは薬効成分があり、お守りだったとの事。

By the way, it is said that you have to put away all the dolls after March 3rd, otherwise your girl will be late to be married.
ちなみに３月３日を過ぎたらすぐに片付けないとお嫁に行き遅れるという言い伝えがあります。





After Girls' Day, we are ready to welcome spring, we cannot wait to see cherry blossoms!
この日を過ぎると日本は一気に春に向かいますね。桜が待ち遠しい！


「百段雛まつり」は目黒雅叙園で３月６日まで開催しています。
Hina-dolls exhibition is held at Meguro Gajoen until March 6th, 2016.
10:00 ~ 18:00, admission JPY1,500JPY per adult.


    http://www.megurogajoen.co.jp/event/hinamaturi/

Experience Japan!