The Japanese tradition, “Hinamatsuri” (also called Doll’s Day or Girls’ Day) is celebrated on March 3rd (the 3rd day of the 3rd month) and is an occasion to pray for a young girl’s growth and happiness. Hinamatsuri comes from the ancient Chinese who believed that the sins of the body and any misfortunes could be transferred to a doll and washed away by setting the doll adrift in a river.  When this practice spread to Japan, it was linked to girls playing with dolls in the Edo Period (1603-1876) and developed into Hinamatsuri.

Celebration

Onna so Sekku, which translates to “Girls’ Festival”, is usually celebrated with parents or grandparents presenting a set of hina dolls to their daughter or granddaughter at birth or on her first birthday, and these traditionally become a part of her bridal trousseau.  These ceremonial dolls have been handed down generations, and are displayed in the best room of the house for about a week. However, they are quickly put away at the end of the day on March 3rd, as leaving the dolls out beyond that date is considered unlucky and may lead to delay in a  girl’s marriage.  The dolls are carefully rewrapped and packed away, not to be seen until the next Hinamatsuri.

A set of Hina-dolls usually consists of at least 15 dolls, all in the ancient costumes. The display also includes miniature household articles which often are exquisite artistic productions. The dolls most highly valued are the Dairi-sama, which represent the Emperor and Empress in resplendent court costumes of silk. They are attended by two ministers, three kanjo (court ladies), and five court musicians. All are displayed on a tier of steps,usually five, long and covered with bright red cloth. The Imperial Couple occupy the top step,the Emperor at the left of the Empress. Court ladies and banquet trays and dishes occupy the second tier; the other dolls are arranged on the lower tiers.

Hinamatsuri used to be one of the very few occasions when little Japanese girls had their own parties. It was customary for them to invite their friends to these parties at which they also ate the sweets and food offered to the dolls. Celebrating Girls’ Day is a wonderful way to introduce Japanese-American girls to the history and traditions of Japan. We’ve included some recipes and information about a game, Otedama, that you can use to celebrate this fun occasion.

On this day families with newborn sons fly koinobori, beautiful multi-colored carp windsocks  outside of homes to wish their sons a good future. Otoko means “boy” and sekku means “festival”.  The festival originated in China and later became associated with May rice planting in Japan.

Celebrating

May was traditionally the time when insects begin to appear and harm the rice plants. Farmers would frighten away the insects with bright banners and grotesque figures. The colorful banners eventually took the form of koi or carp, the boldest and noblest of fish.  Swimming upstream against strong currents to reach their spawning grounds, the carp has become the symbol of courage, virility and strength.  Since parents hope their sons grow up in the same way to be brave and strong and attain success by overcoming life’s obstacles, families traditionally flew koinobori from their homes to honor their sons.

A set of streamers usually has three or more fish. The large black one (magoi) represents father. According to a Japanese children’s song, the red one (higoi) represents the first born son. However, in modern Japan, many prefer to see it as mother. The small ones (usually green and blue) represent the sons in the family. A new streamer is added each time a new baby is born.

A fun way to celebrate Boys’ Day is to make mochi. In addition to hanging koinobori kites, families also typically display warrior dolls famed for their fighting power. These warriors were meant to teach young boys manliness as well as keep them away from evil.  Tiered shelves are used in homes to display Boys’ Day figures of ancient war heroes and warriors, miniature armor boxes, helmets, swords and banners similar to those used in the ancient fields of battle.

Naming the baby

The naming of the baby was very important because the Chinese believed that one’s name can influence everything that happens in life.  In selecting a name for the baby, it was up to the family to decide if the given name will be the child’s formal name or a “milk name.”

The milk name is a nickname used until the child starts school, or even up until marriage.  If given a milk name, often a girls’ name was chosen for a boy, because it was thought that a male child was the ” special prey of evil spirits” and that these spirits will be tricked if the boy had a girl’s name.  A female, and sometimes a male child, was given an animal name or called some sort of derogatory name in a joking sort of way.

A child’s formal name was usually picked by it’s grandparents or in some areas, a fortune-teller.  This was the name that was presented during the Red Egg and Ginger Party.

Traditions

Traditionally, the baby’s head was also shaved during this party.  The girls’ head was shaved before the image of “Mother”, the Goddess of Children, and the boy’s head was shaved before the ancestral table.  The symbolism of this practice is not entirely known, but it is speculated that this is the removing of the birth hair, to mark the point of the child’s independent existence.  Today, many Asian grandparents believe that shaving the girls’ head at birth is a way to encourage the growth of long, lustrous hair although this practice isn’t usually done during Asian American celebrations today.

In these modern times, parents continue to hold this celebration to signify the formal acceptance of the new child into the family. The celebration dinner for the guests can happen at home or in a restaurant.

What’s the significance of Red Eggs and Ginger?

As in weddings or festivals, the color red represents happiness and good luck.

Eggs are significant because they symbolize fertility and the renewal of life.  Also, their shape is traditionally associated with harmony and unity. According to some sources, an even number of eggs means a daughter has been born, while an odd number represents a son.

Ginger is important because in the yin (cold) and yang (warm) balance of Chinese food, ginger adds a touch of ‘hotness’ to the nutritional needs of the new mother, who is tired and weak (or too yin) after giving birth.

Guests receive red-dyed eggs and ginger at the party. Additionally, instead of sending thank you cards to the guests, more traditional parents may send thank you gifts consisting of small round biscuits with pork in them.

What gifts should I bring?

Guests attending red egg and ginger parties can bring gifts of clothing or lucky money.

Babies are given tiger hats, tiger shoes, and tiger bibs. In Chinese folklore, the tiger is the king of beasts and is believed to have special powers for protecting children. The tiger hat that covers their heads has gold, silver and jade charms sewn on it for good luck.

The tiger shoes have embroidered eyes that are sewn wide-open. These open eyes on their feet help keep children from tripping as they first learn to walk!

Lucky Money

Lysee or “lucky money” in red envelopes was traditionally given to baby boys, while girls received expensive jewelry by close relatives. Nowadays, however, this tradition extends to all babies.