Omaha daily bee., 1910-04-24
IAPAN's FEAST OF THE DOLL
Popular Festival Faithfully Observed
by All Classes OF the
pponIe.

ny All Classes OF the
People.
In addition tl the dozen davs which I7
no course OF the year are observed fn this
country az national holidays. many are set
apart for spec.aI domestic festivals that are
more truly popular and muca more saltH-
fully observed by ali classes ot the people.
Among these is one Of unfaHing interest
associated with children celebra ed each
year on March Q. and known a. the girls
festival or Joni no Seknu It ls also spoken
of a. the Hlna Matsuri or feast % do1ls-
season when the little girls faithfuness
to their wooden headed companions is
much in evidence.
wealthy homes are the scenes OF much
gaiety on these celebrations. and a large
collection OF dolls. sometimes Of great
value viii be seen displayed 20 the best aG-
vantage on the hina dan. a structure Of
steps especially made 60 accommodate
them. The dolls themselves and their
dresses ara OK exquisite workmanship cal
culated to enchanr the oriental eye and
having much the same effect. too on the
western observer.
But the poor cannot indulge in such
pleasures. yet they never fail to celebrate.
even though it be in a humble way They
will purchase a picture representation OF
the real thing and thus by the expendi ture
Of a few sen derive mucn pleasure.
But to return to the august assembly sit
ting in state upon the hlna dan. In the
center OF the uppermost row ara a pair.
man and woman. designed TO strike the Oh
server with a sort OF awe. They represent
their imperial majesties the emperor be-
ing attired in ceremonial court dress Of
ancient DAYS. and the empress similarly
clad, but with the addition OF long. flowing
skirts. To the right and left OF the august
presence and below are court ladies' and
officials with an orchestra OF five mu-
5cians each with an instrument in his
hand. It viii be observed by the Inflated
that the privilege OF rank are very ieaI-
ously guarded in the arrangement OF the
dolls.
I 1t Is customary to give a representation
Of historical personages in these remarkable
displays and according to the capacity OF the
purse OF the householder. not one. but sew
eral sets Of hina are arranged. The effect
/ Is heightened by q gorgeous background
usually a folding screen OF gold. With such
a setting the display looks truly magnifl-
cent; but the Inevitable thought arises that
the festival has outgrowu it's simple begin
ming and tends to be. as all earthly things
merely a display OF luxury and riches.
! Then there are certain ceremonies indis-
pensable to the festival-for dolls, no less
than gods. must eat. and offerings are
made OF the rice dumpingA They are in
ths form OK parallsiograms OF different
coiOrs and are placed on a Iaequsred tray
before the mute but glorious assembly
There is also white sake IN tiny bottles.
and the whOls is set off by lunches OF
~
food and the manner in which it is placed
is not without its symbolism. The trays are
arranged wfsA their carefully prepared
foods and placed before the odori hina. In
the Japanese. hina signifies IN miniature.
hina dOri. being the term applied TO chick
ems. while the hinagata means the min1a-
turs representation OF all the appurtances
OF the hina festival such as cendelabra,
chests Of drawers. magamochI or large box
for clothing. and brazers All these small
obiscts are exact reproductions OF the
originals. and the touts ensemble may be
considered as a model OF the household OF
the imperial family in ancient days
In fact reverence for the imperial court
Is the guiding influence in the arrangement
OF everything that is necessary to the
proper representation Of the dolls festival
The old customs and siquette OF the court
are considered as the very essence OF ar
tistic taste, since this court was, and is
not only the source Of all dignity and power
but OF everything that is beautiful
And here can be seen the educational in
dasnce OF this festival. for the girls OF the
house and their friends ara deeply i'm
pressed with ideas of etiquette and good
manners. and they are filled with admira-
tion for the past In many things the Gus
toms OF the people are undergoing radical
I changes today. but such observances as
those connected with the dOlls' festival are
likely TO preserve in the Japanese some OF
the old traits, and not the least necessary
the spirit OF reverencs for the emperor.
Moreover. the festival Is considered val
liable in the practice il makes necessary in
the placing OF the many dolls and furniture
rogather 50 that they will make a harmoni-
Gus picture in form and color, and also FOR
the formalities which have 20 be practiced
which aEe expected 70 train the young In
the graceful reception OF guests and visit
ors. This innocent little festival therefore
can be made 70 exert great influence.
1t has also another interesting signifi-
cance a pretty idea when lu is fully con-
sifered the hina festival is not only an at
traction 70 the growu-up. but Il is the de-
sign 20 convey a lesson TO children The
dolls ars not 70 be roughly handled or dis
figured IN face or body. but the festival is
Interpreted meaning n recreation for the
dcils. as they should be allowed out OF the
Innocent clutches Oe their little own
srs one day in every year, as
sort ot rsparadon for rough and in
conadsrats treatment In the past thus
Tor one day the dolls are the owner . guests,
and not the slaves. and the children ars
the hosts.-Japan Magazine.