{"id":25836,"date":"2020-03-02T17:47:10","date_gmt":"2020-03-02T17:47:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/?p=25836"},"modified":"2021-03-02T08:44:37","modified_gmt":"2021-03-02T08:44:37","slug":"hinamatsuri","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2020\/03\/02\/hinamatsuri\/","title":{"rendered":"Dolls, emperors and snacks: Exploring the Japanese festival of Hinamatsuri"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F25836&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F25836\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F25836&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F25836&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F25836%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F25836\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F25836\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul><h1><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><em>Hinamatsuri<\/em> is <\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">a beautiful Japanese tradition, steeped in history<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><!--more--><\/h1>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Japan is famous for its stunning ceremonies, beliefs and traditions. To give you an insight into the beauty, subtlety and complexity of Japanese culture, we\u2019ve delved deep into the lore behind one of the country\u2019s most fascinating festivals: <em>Hinamatsuri<\/em><\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, on the 3<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">rd<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0of March.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">So\u2026 what is it<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Hinamatsuri<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">means<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0\u2018girl\u2019s day<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2019<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. T<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ak<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ing<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0place<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0on the 3<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">rd<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0of March each year<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0(<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">with<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0preparations made over the preceding month),<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">the holiday\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">celebrate<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0the health and happiness of young girls<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. Participants express their good wishes<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0through the\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">consumption of certain foods and the\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">intricate<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0arrangement of dolls of the Emperor and Empress on a big red blanket<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-25844\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/image00029.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"828\" height=\"894\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/image00029.jpeg 828w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/image00029-278x300.jpeg 278w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/image00029-768x829.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/image00029-522x564.jpeg 522w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/image00029-720x777.jpeg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/image00029-390x421.jpeg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/image00029-780x842.jpeg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/image00029-510x551.jpeg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 828px) 100vw, 828px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Wait\u2026 back up. Dolls? Blankets? What?!<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Hmm. Without context it\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">does<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0seem a little random. Alright<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">:<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0time for a quick <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2018\/10\/16\/japanese-history\/\">history<\/a> lesson<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">!<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It all began with China, a very long time ago. A common practice for people seeking to absolve themselves of past wickedness was to offload all their sin and misfortune into small paper or straw dolls by rubbing them over their bodies. These dolls were then placed in a river and left to float away into oceanic obscurity (or, quite possibly, the neighbouring village). Poof \u2013 sin be gone. Sometime later, Japanese aristocrats \u2013 presumably quite enamoured with this handy get-out-of-jail-free card &#8211; began to emulate the practice. In Tottori Prefecture, this tradition\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">actually<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0continues<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0in the same manner today.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Now, during the Heian period (794-1181), it became\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">fashionable<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0for the young daughters of wealthy Japanese families to play with dolls, called\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">hina-ningy\u014d<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Over the following centuries, the\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">belief<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0that sin could be\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">taken away<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">by<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">paper\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">dolls expande<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">d to include\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">hina-ningy\u014d<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, and<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">the girl\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">dolls became valued as vessels to imbue with hopes and prayers for prosperity<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">So<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0when did the tradition change from river-floating to ornate displays?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Over the course of five hundred years or so, dollmakers had got\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">pretty handy<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0at crafting\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">hina-ningy\u014d<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0The dolls\u2019 increasing value and quality meant families were no longer so kee<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">n<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0on<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0filling them up with sin and<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0punting them into the nearest stream<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. I<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">nstead<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0they<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0tended to hang onto them, putting the<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0dolls<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0on\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">show<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. This practice became the norm, and following the trend<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0set by<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0the aristocracy, many ordinary Japanese families began creating\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">increasingly<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0intricate\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">displays<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">By the Edo period (1603-1868), during the third day of the third month &#8211; known as the Peach Blossom Festival, as this was generally the period when peach blossom trees came in bloom <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2013<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">the usage of\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">hina-ningy\u014d<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">dolls<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0became an important part of the day\u2019s celebrations.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-25850\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/%E3%81%8A%E9%9B%9B%E6%A7%98-hinamatsuri-dolls-lamp.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/%E3%81%8A%E9%9B%9B%E6%A7%98-hinamatsuri-dolls-lamp.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/%E3%81%8A%E9%9B%9B%E6%A7%98-hinamatsuri-dolls-lamp-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/%E3%81%8A%E9%9B%9B%E6%A7%98-hinamatsuri-dolls-lamp-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/%E3%81%8A%E9%9B%9B%E6%A7%98-hinamatsuri-dolls-lamp-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/%E3%81%8A%E9%9B%9B%E6%A7%98-hinamatsuri-dolls-lamp-564x376.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/%E3%81%8A%E9%9B%9B%E6%A7%98-hinamatsuri-dolls-lamp-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/%E3%81%8A%E9%9B%9B%E6%A7%98-hinamatsuri-dolls-lamp-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/%E3%81%8A%E9%9B%9B%E6%A7%98-hinamatsuri-dolls-lamp-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/%E3%81%8A%E9%9B%9B%E6%A7%98-hinamatsuri-dolls-lamp-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/%E3%81%8A%E9%9B%9B%E6%A7%98-hinamatsuri-dolls-lamp-1440x960.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/%E3%81%8A%E9%9B%9B%E6%A7%98-hinamatsuri-dolls-lamp-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/%E3%81%8A%E9%9B%9B%E6%A7%98-hinamatsuri-dolls-lamp-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/%E3%81%8A%E9%9B%9B%E6%A7%98-hinamatsuri-dolls-lamp-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">How are the dolls displayed?<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It depends on how many you have!<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Beyond the Empress and Emperor, it\u2019s also possible to\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">have\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">court ladies, musicians, ministers, messengers and servants, as well as an array of furniture, food and sake. The extent of a family\u2019s collection would typically have depended on their wealth; the Emperor and Empress are the minimum requirements.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">dolls are laid out over multiple tiers;\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">typically<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0the monarchs would go at the top,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">with\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">the next tier down\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">housing\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">the court ladies, the third\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">tier\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">the musicians and so on, up to a maximum of seven levels. This partially came about because the very best dolls were <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">pricey<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, and\u00a0positioning them higher up kept them safely away from the curious fingers of clumsy kids.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">S<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">mart.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">All this trivia is making me<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0hungry<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. Is there food involved?<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You bet.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Many modern Japanese families with daughters will hold\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Hinamatsuri<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0parties, where guests will eat a wide range of snacks, typically\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">laid out\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">in the same room as the dolls. Guests\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">will chow down\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">on<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">such treats as:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>Hina-arare<\/em><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0\u2013 multi-coloured rice crackers<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">C<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">hirashizushi<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">raw fish<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, veggies<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">and<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0rice<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">H<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ishi\u00a0mochi<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">multi-coloured<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0rice cakes<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">chigo\u00a0daifuku<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">strawberries wrapped in\u202fadzuki bean\u202fpaste<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Sakuramochi<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">rice cakes with red bean paste<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0wrapped in a pickled cherry blossom leaf<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">U<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">shiojiru<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">clam soup<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0(the two sides of a clam fit together perfectly, and represent a strong marriage)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">mazake<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">a\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">sweet\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">sake<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0(non-alcoholic &#8211; this is a kids\u2019 party, after all)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-25841\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/hinamatsuri-4691996_1920.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/hinamatsuri-4691996_1920.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/hinamatsuri-4691996_1920-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/hinamatsuri-4691996_1920-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/hinamatsuri-4691996_1920-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/hinamatsuri-4691996_1920-564x317.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/hinamatsuri-4691996_1920-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/hinamatsuri-4691996_1920-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/hinamatsuri-4691996_1920-900x506.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/hinamatsuri-4691996_1920-720x405.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/hinamatsuri-4691996_1920-1440x810.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/hinamatsuri-4691996_1920-390x219.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/hinamatsuri-4691996_1920-780x439.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/hinamatsuri-4691996_1920-510x287.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Great!<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">s there anything else I need to know?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You\u2019re almost a bona fide\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Hinamatsuri<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0expert.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">There\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">just\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">one last important detail: don\u2019t leave the dolls out after the 3<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">rd<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0of March! Superstition abounds that leaving them on display\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">once the festival has finished will lead to any young girls in the family being unlucky in love. Japanese parents\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">are q<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">uick to take their meticulously-positioned decorations down at the end of the day \u2013 nobody wants to take their chances!<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Like this post? 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Help us by sharing it! Hinamatsuri is a beautiful Japanese tradition, steeped in history\u00a0 Like this post? 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