Doll Festival

February 18, 2010
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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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