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The Japanese have wonderful holidays for children and on March 3rd the country celebrates “Girls Day.” The official celebration is called Hina Matsuri or “Doll Festival.” These beautiful dolls are not your ordinary Barbie dolls, these dolls are very special and can be very expensive. They are proudly displayed in the home and decorated with beautiful peach blossoms and sweets.

日本には、３月３日に女の子の節句という子供のためのステキな祭日があるの。正式にはひな祭りと呼ばれているわ。この日に飾られるのは普通のバービー人形じゃなくて、特別なちょっとお値段の張る人形。　女の子のいる家では、この人形を、桃の花、それからお菓子と一緒に飾るのよ。

The origin of the festival is said to be an ancient Chinese tradition where they would take a straw doll and float it down a river to wash away any illness, evil spirits or bad luck that a daughter might have for the year. This part of the festival is called Nagashibina.

 もともとは昔の中国の伝統で、麦わらで作られた人形を川に浮かべて、病、悪霊、不運と共に流し一年の女の子の息災を祈るためのもの。流し雛と呼ばれる慣習として残っているわね。

Here is a great video (not the best quality) showing a Hina Matsuri at Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto.  Very interesting and deep into the Japanese culture, especially the dressing of the ”Empress.”

こちらの動画は、京都の下鴨神社のひな祭りの様子です。