Hinamatsuri-2

The hinadan is the set of shelves or tiers upon which the hinaningyou are set. A typical hinadan will have either five or seven shelves, depending on the complexity and size of the set of dolls. The hinadan is covered by a red carpet called mousen. The topmost shelf is called ichidan (ichi means "one," ~dan is a counter for steps or stairs), the shelf below is called nidan (ni means "two"), and so on (san is "three," yon is "four," go is "five," roku is "six," and nana is "seven). Hinadan are sometimes also called dankazari; however, due to lack of space in many Japanese homes, many displays only consist of shinnokazari, the Emperor and Empress dolls, and contain only one tier.

The topmost tier contains the most important features of the hinadan display because upon it are displayed the two most important hinaningyou in the entire set: the emperor and the empress. The dolls representing them are called dairibina; the doll representing the Emperor of Japan (Tenno) is called dairi or obina, while the doll representing the Empress (Kougou) is simply called hina, or sometimes mebina. Usually, the Emperor is placed on the left, from the viewpoint of someone standing in front of the display, while the Empress is on the right. However, in certain places in Japan, such as Kyoto, their positions are switched. The emperor wears the traditional costume of an ancient nobleman, called ikansokutai, while the empress wears the traditional garb of an ancient noblewoman, juunihitoe. The emperor also wears a hat, called a kanburi. A folding screen, called a byoubu, is placed behind the odairibina, while lanterns, or bonbori, are placed on the left and right sides of the tier. Also, peach flowers are placed between the Emperor and Empress.

In a complete set of dolls, there are usually at least fifteen distinct dolls, all dressed in ancient costume. They have become so expensive and sophisticated that the practice of nagashibina is now extremely rare. It is not difficult to find many Japanese stores advertising their doll sets before Hinamatsuri. The complete set of about fifteen dolls is as follows: the emperor, the empress, three ladies-in-waiting, five court musicians, two ministers, and three guards. We will go into more detail about each doll in the following sections, depending on which tier it is displayed. Families begin dusplaying their dolls around mid-February, but as was already mentioned, superstition dictates that they be removed the day of the festival or the daughter in the family will have difficulty getting married.

The second tier from the top holds the three ladies-in-waiting, collectively called sannin kanjo. The court lady in the middle is sitting, while the two to the left and right of her are standing. The one in the middle is Sanpou, the one on the right (as if you were standing in front of the dolls) is called Nagae-no-choshi, the one on the left, Kuwae-no-choshi. It is also customary to place hina-arare, special rice crackers, on the second tier as an offering. However, sometimes hishimochi, lozenge-shaped rice cakes, are placed here instead. More on the food later.