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The Hina Matsuri is held to pray for the healthy growth of girls across Japan. The festival used to be held on the 3rd of March of the old calendar which is around April in today’s terms, but now it is held on the 3rd of March each year. The Hina Matsuri is also referred to as “The Peach Festival” because March of the old calendar was when the peach blossoms would bloom.

 

The Hina Matsuri is believed to have originated in the Heian Period when children of noble families in Kyoto did it for fun. Then during the Edo Period this spread throughout the country with girls playing with dolls and also performed “Nagashi Bina” where simple dolls were thrown into rivers or the sea taking bad luck and misfortune with them. When a Hina Doll is displayed, it is a wish for the doll to take the child’s place and any misfortune that may befall the child.

 

Interestingly enough, the order for the Emperor and Empress dolls to sit in is different between Kanto and Kyoto. In Kanto, the Emperor doll is placed on the left hand side when facing the stand, whereas in Kyoto, he is placed on the right.

 

Here are a couple of Hina Matsuri that are happening in Gunma.

 

The “7th Tatebayashi Hina Matsuri” will be held at the old Akimoto Bettei from Saturday, February 14th until Wednesday, March 4th. There will be 7-level decoration displays, wood-carved dolls, and mini Hina dolls displayed. The festival is about a 10 minute drive from the Tatebayashi Interchange on the Touhoku Expressway. For more information, please contact the Tatebayashi Tourism Association at 0276-72-4111.

 

The “Stone Steps Hina Matsuri” will be held on the famous stone steps of Ikaho in Shibukawa city on Saturday, March 7th and Sunday, March 8th. At this festival, lovely children wearing beautiful Hina clothing and makeup will appear on the steps. For more information please contact the Ikaho Onsen Tourism Association at 0279-72-3151.