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Doll Festival

by Shibuya24610 6846
A closeup of the Hina Ningyo display at Ryogoku Station.
A closeup of the Hina Ningyo display at Ryogoku Station.

I was at Ryogoku Station, where the Sumo is held in Tokyo, to visit the offices of a friendly bear company yesterday, and on the way back spotted this display of Hina Ningyo that had been set up by the Ryogoku Station staff.

There is a great write up of the Hina Ningyo matsuri and its traditions at kidswebJapan.

March 3 is Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival or Girls’ Festival), when people pray for the happiness and healthy growth of girls. Families with young daughters mark this day by setting up a display of dolls inside the house. The dolls wear costumes of the imperial court during the Heian period (794-1192) and are placed on a tiered platform covered with red felt. The top tier is reserved for the emperor and the empress.

Taking a look at a few of the dolls in the middle tier.
Taking a look at a few of the dolls in the middle tier.
The JR staff at Ryogoku station had put together a display of Hina Ningyo dolls for all to see.
The JR staff at Ryogoku station had put together a display of Hina Ningyo dolls for all to see.
Passing through the walkway to the platform stairs at Ryogoku station.
Passing through the walkway to the platform stairs at Ryogoku station.
As you approach the display, the red color really starts to get bright. The lighting coming from above creates a warm effect where normally it would be cold concrete.
As you approach the display, the red color really starts to get bright. The lighting coming from above creates a warm effect where normally it would be cold concrete.
This platform is not normally used so it was a great location to set the Hina Ningyo dolls out.
This platform is not normally used so it was a great location to set the Hina Ningyo dolls out.
I don't normally change the color of photos after I have taken them, but decided this might be a good one to try some experimentation with. The red in the center contrasts so well with the black and white off to the sides.
I don't normally change the color of photos after I have taken them, but decided this might be a good one to try some experimentation with. The red in the center contrasts so well with the black and white off to the sides.
Decided to try out some black and white here as well.
Decided to try out some black and white here as well.

After the Hina matusri, kodomo no hi (Boy’s Day) will also be coming up where the koinobori (carp) will be flying in front of people’s houses.

Do you display any special types of dolls, flags or other items for holidays celebrating children in your country?

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10 comments

HELLOSHEENA February 18, 2010 at 3:24 pm

Have you tried splash coloring?

Reply
shibuya246 February 18, 2010 at 3:27 pm

What is splash coloring?

Reply
Kesenaitsumi February 18, 2010 at 4:35 pm

Wow.. It’s not even march yet and they already having promotion?

Reply
katiemuffett February 18, 2010 at 5:30 pm

That is so beautiful! I’m trying to make my own hina doll using my limited skills with clay and silk, so I’m grabbing every dress design I can find. Time is running out though >.>

I love the shots looking down the hall at the display – the ordinary and the divine.

Reply
shibuya246 February 18, 2010 at 9:03 pm

what a great idea. a very unique hina doll matsuri for you 🙂

Reply
Exiv96 February 18, 2010 at 8:50 pm

“A friendly bear company” ? Sounds familiar. 😉

Reply
shibuya246 February 18, 2010 at 9:03 pm

😉 more coming soon

Reply
whipcracker February 19, 2010 at 1:14 am

Now this is the Red Carpet treatment.
by:whipcracker

Reply
whipcracker February 19, 2010 at 2:35 am

RT @tweetmeme Doll Festival, Japan Culture http://bit.ly/dhAT9H The thing they do in my neighborhood is put a sign in their yard anoucing the birth of their child. Now my curiosity has been peaked a new friend for Rilakkuma?

Reply
lithiumangel February 19, 2010 at 5:36 am

Hmm interesting to just come across this, JR staff is really toughtfull
You mentioned sumo .. man I was bummed to find out that Sumo wasn’t happening in Tokyo itself last November when I read somewhere in a paper there “Sumo tickets for sale” – I hope April is Sumo season in Tokyo .. I need to investigate on that.

Oh, pssst 🙂 Are you using a 50/1.8 or 50/1.4 lens here 😀 ?

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