About Hinamatsuri

Hinamatsuri, also known as Girl's Day or Doll's Day, is a traditional Japanese holiday that is celebrated on March 3rd. It is a day to celebrate and pray for the health and happiness of young girls.

On Hinamatsuri, families with daughters display a set of ornamental dolls called hina-ningyo, which represent the Emperor, Empress, and their courtiers. These dolls are typically displayed on tiered platforms and are dressed in traditional Heian period clothing.

The dolls are usually put on display in February and are taken down on or after March 3rd. It's a tradition to eat special foods such as chirashizushi, clam soup and sweet pink and white rice cakes called hina-arare.

Hinamatsuri is a celebration of femininity and the role of women in Japanese society. It's an occasion for families to pray for the well-being of their daughters and to celebrate their growth and development.

It's worth noting that the celebration is not restricted to Japan, it's also celebrated by the Japanese communities abroad, and it's a way to keep the tradition and culture alive.

About Ohinasama

Ohinasama (お雛様) is another term used to refer to the ornamental dolls that are displayed during the Hinamatsuri (Girl's Day or Doll's Day) festival in Japan. These dolls, called hina-ningyo, are typically made of wood or porcelain and are dressed in traditional Heian period clothing. They are arranged on tiered platforms and depict the Emperor, Empress, and their courtiers.

The dolls are usually passed down through generations and are considered as valuable family heirlooms. They are put on display in February and are taken down on or after March 3rd, when the Hinamatsuri festival is celebrated.

Ohinasama dolls are not only used for the Hinamatsuri festival, but they are also used as decorative items and can be seen in homes and shops throughout the year. They are also used in traditional Japanese performances such as "Hina-matsuri-bayashi" where musicians play traditional music while dancers perform with ohinasama dolls.

It's worth noting that the dolls are not only for girls, they are also enjoyed by collectors and people who are interested in Japanese culture, art and history.

About Odairisama

Odairisama (お大吏様) is another term used to refer to the ornamental dolls that are displayed during the Boy's Day festival in Japan, also known as Tango no Sekku or Kodomo no Hi. These dolls, also known as kodomo-ningyo, are typically made of wood or paper mache and are dressed in traditional samurai or military clothing. They are arranged on tiered platforms and depict ancient warriors and heroes, including legendary figures such as the god Hachiman and the Heike and Genji warriors.

The Boy's Day festival, celebrated on May 5th, is a day to celebrate and pray for the health and happiness of young boys. Families with sons will typically display the odairisama dolls along with other decorations, such as banners and flags, in their homes.

Like Ohinasama, Odairisama dolls are also passed down through generations and are considered valuable family heirlooms. They are also used as decorative items and can be seen in homes and shops throughout the year.

It's worth noting that the Boy's Day festival is not as widely celebrated as the Girl's Day festival, but it's still an important tradition that keeps the culture and history alive.