Pop Japan

Hina Nagashi is a Japanese tradition of floating Japanese dolls in small boats on rivers and seas. The dolls and figurines are donated by the girls' families. People write all of their wishes on each Hina dolls and place them on the boats and let the doll loaded boats to drift in the sea.

The ritual starts in March and it is done as a prayer to as for protection against calamities and bad luck. Hina Nagashi is also called Girl's day or Doll's day when after the day, the dolls are supposed to be put away in the belief of the superstition that keeping the dolls for a long time would result in the daughter's late marriage. The dolls are usually expensive and may cost from $1,500 to $2,500.

Doll Placement

The placement of dolls depends on the family location and tradition but the doll order per level or platform remains the same. 

First or Top Platform - Occupied by the Imperial dolls that is called dair-bina
Second - Lady courtesans who serve drinks to Male and Female dolls - Also called san-nin kanjo.
Third - Male Musicians or go-nin bayashi - one holds an instrument while the singer who holds a fan.
Fourth - Ministers and Guardians - Ministers or Daijin are bodyguards of couple's
Fifth - Protectors and Helpers - Also called Shicho, displays three drinkers - one crying, one angry drinker and one laughing drinker. 
Sixth and Seventh - Things used in the Imperial palace such as storage chest, mirrors, furniture, utensils and sewing kits. 

Foods are also served

Foods such as Mochi in different symbolic colours delight participants. Green represents an upcoming springtime, pinkish-red - peach blossoms, white - cleansing and snow and the mochi round shape mean fertility. Other foods such as the Chirashizushi - sweetened sushi served with clam soup. Others are the Hina Arare or coloured rice crackers.

Locations of HIna-Nagashi

Sumida Park
Tomisaki Shrine
Meguro Gajoen
Hyakudankaidan
Awashima Shrine

Tags: japanese traditions, japanese dolls, hina-nagashi, japanese festivals, girl's festival, toy dolls, japanese culture, japanese doll festival, festivals in japan