Hinamatsuri

, also called Doll's Day or Girls' Day, is a special day in Japan.Sosnoski, Daniel. (1996). Introduction to Japanese culture, p. 10.  Hinamatsuri is celebrated each year on March 3.Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Hina Matsuri" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 313.  This is a day for thinking about the happiness and health of young girls in Japanese families. Hinamatsuri at About.com ; retrieved 2013-3-3.

Summary 
Since the 8th century, it was traditional to have special days for children twice a year—March 3 for girlsGinkoya, Girl's Day ; retrieved 2013-3-6. and May 5 for boys.Japanese American National Museum,  "Koinobori: Celebrating the Spirit of Boys Day"; retrieved 2013-3-6.

The focus of attention on Hinamatsuri is a display of dolls which are dressed in the fashion of the Heian period.  The group of dolls represent the Imperial court (hina ningyō).

The Japanese term for the display steps is .  There may be five or seven steps.

The Kantō region and Kansai region have different placement orders of the dolls from left to right, but the order of dolls per level are the same.

First platform, the top
The top tier holds two dolls.  They are .The words dairi means "Imperial palace".  
  holds a  
  holds a fanThe word hime means "girl" or "princess".

The male doll is traditionally on the right, but sometimes the doll is on the left.

Second platform
The second tier holds three court ladies . Each holds something to do with sake.

Third platform
The third tier holds five male musicians . 

Fourth step
Two Imperial ministers (daijin) may be displayed on the fourth tier



Related pages 
 Children's Day (Japan)
 Girls' Day (Germany)

 References 

Other websites

Category:Festivals in Japan
Category:March observances