Ureshii Hinamatsuri (1935) – うれしいひなまつり

Celebrating Hina Matsuri: Japan’s Enchanting Festival for Girls’ Day

Every year on March 3rd, Japan celebrates a delightful spring tradition known as Hina Matsuri, or “Girls’ Day.” Also referred to as Momo no Sekku (Peach Festival), this special occasion coincides with the blooming of plum and peach blossoms following the traditional start of spring (Risshun). Families pray for the health and happiness of young girls by displaying elegant hina dolls, which represent members of a historic imperial court.

While many Japanese households arrange these dolls on a tiered stand, regional variations highlight unique customs such as Nagashi-bina (floating dolls set adrift on rivers to carry away misfortune) or Tsurushi-bina (colorful hanging ornaments). At the center of a typical hina display, you’ll find a lord and princess figure—often referred to as Odairi-sama—surrounded by court attendants called San-nin-kanjo, who serve the princess, and Gonin-bayashi, a group of five musicians playing festive tunes. The display also includes Zuijin (court guardians), featuring a left minister (Sadaijin) and a right minister (Udaijin). On the lower tiers, civilian figures known as shichou appear, symbolizing people tasked with everyday responsibilities.

iwatsuki nagashibina

By Sakaori (talk) – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

In more affluent or traditionally-minded communities—especially in rural areas—you might encounter multi-tiered displays showcasing numerous dolls, miniature furniture, and intricate decorations. Meanwhile, in modern urban settings, busy lifestyles and limited living spaces have encouraged the popularity of compact hina sets that emphasize sleek designs. These may include highlights like Dairi-bina (simplified lord-and-princess dolls), Bonbori (paper or silk lanterns), as well as iconic festival foods like Shirozake or Amazake (sweet non-alcoholic rice drinks) and Hishimochi (diamond-shaped rice cakes in vibrant colors).

Interestingly, the well-known Japanese children’s song celebrating the festival mentions “Odairi-sama and Ohina-sama” as if they were separate entities. Historically, however, Odairi-sama alone already indicates both the lord and princess. This detail led lyricist YAMANO_Saburou (an alias of SATOU_Hachirou) to express regret over the confusion in later years—yet the phrasing has become a beloved part of this seasonal tune. Whether you encounter an elaborate, multi-tiered hina arrangement or a modest, contemporary display, Hina Matsuri remains a cherished symbol of springtime in Japan and a testament to the country’s enduring cultural traditions.

Hina Cake

▼Smaller chicks decorations, but with full members?