The origins of Hinamatsuri can be traced back at least several centuries, to three ancient practices. The first involves the traditions of imperial and aristocratic families during Heian jidai, the Heian Period in Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185. Dolls were believed to serve as substitutes for human unhappiness, so children born into nobility played with dolls, dressed in the court costume of the time. This activity was called Hina-asobi, which translates into "doll-playing." The second tradition which influenced Hinamatsuri came from the Chinese. When they came to Japan with the characters and other aspects of culture that become an integral part of the Japanese culture, they brought with them many traditions and beliefs. The particular one that evolved into Hinamatsuri involved giving offerings to the gods at the change of each season.
Lastly, the third tradition is a Japanese practice in which paper resemblances of humans (often called katashiro or hitogata) were rubbbed on people bathing in a river and then set out to sea. This practice was called joshi-no-harai. In a manner similar to the tradition from the Heian Period, the Japanese believed these resemblances washed away impurities and evil spirits, and at one point were even considered god-like in their powers. This particular ritual later evolved during Edo jidai, the Edo Period, lasting from 1603 to 1868, during which time, floating the dolls down a river on the evening of Hinamatsuri became popular; the practice came to be known as nagashibina. The practices eventually blended together into what we know today as Hinamatsuri. The dolls became more complex and sophisticated during the Muromachi Era (1338-1573); they are now made by master craftsmen, and the doll sets have become so sophisticated and expensive that the practice of floating them out to sea has become rare. Instead, doll sets are passed down through the family as heirlooms.
Nowadays, it is customary for a girl's grandparents on her mother's side to buy the set of dolls for their first granddaughter. Dolls in general are called hinaningyou, but the special set of Hinamatsuri dolls are called ohinasama. A fair amount of superstitution is also part of the festival: the dolls, displayed on a hinadan, or tiered stand, must be kept away right after the conclusion of Hinamatsuri. If this is not done, it will take longer for the young girl to be married. The superstition arose from joshi-no-harai; because the dolls "absorb" the girls evil spirits and impurities, if the hinaningyou are kept out to long, they will bring misfortune to the family. |
