Hinamatsuri is today, March 3rd! Or, depending on your timezone, has already passed. While some may be enjoying the view of their dolls, or other families may be placing them back in their storage boxes, let’s take a look about the origins, customs, and meaning of Hinamatsuri - particularly from a spiritual and historical perspective.
Basic History of Hinamatsuri
Hinamatsuri ( 雛祭り) means Doll’s Festival. It is a festival originating from the Heian period (794 AD to 1185 AD). Hina (雛) is translated as “Doll”, and Matsuri (祭り) is festival. However, these terms are different than the usual term for doll, Ningyo (人形), or the usual term for a festival/celebration, Iwai (祝い).
Why is this? Well, both Hina and Matsuri are special words. Hina is a specific name for the dolls seen in Hinamatsuri, and the term originated in the Heian era for these dolls. Matsuri is another specific term, usually denoting a festival or special celebration, but in particular at a shrine or temple with the community of people. With the connotation of Matsuri, it connects Hinamatsuri’s ties to other spiritual festivals (called as Matsuri) held at both shrines and temples.
It is not known exactly how Hinamatsuri developed.
It may have originated from the Heian nobles using dolls as display motifs for fun, or to show off the craftsmanship of their dolls. That is why sometimes Hinamatsuri may also be called Hina-asobi, (雛遊び）or “Doll’s Playing”.
Another theory is that it developed from a ritual called Hinanagashi ( 雛流し) or “Doll’s Floating”. At that time, straw dolls were made, and then set into the local river to float away. It was believed these dolls would be carrying all sorts of negative energy, bad luck, misfortune, disaster, and more with them away to be purified in the river.
Shinto concepts of Kegare (negative energy/impurity), and Misogi (Purification, in particular by natural water such as rivers or waterfalls) is the origin of this festival. In fact, many shrines today still host Hinanagashi, most notably, as an example, Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto. However, since it had been causing some modern-day environmental problems, the dolls are collected from the river or sea they are set adrift in, and then ritually burned at a shrine or temple to completely remove all the impurities/bad luck/negative energy they have carried.
Another influence to Hinamatsuri would be the connection of the dolls and girls. Dolls, especially more elaborate/decorated ones, came to be seen as more feminine in nature, and more associated with girls. They were then given as wedding gifts for new brides.
Thus, when Hinamatsuri developed, this may be why it centers around praying for girls’ happiness and good health. And, that is also why if the dolls are taken down too late, it may be that the girl would have a late marriage.
It is most likely Hinamatsuri developed from all these customs of Hina-asobi, Hinanagashi, the dolls’ association with girls and marriage, along with other influences and ideas that developed into the Hinamatsuri we know today.
Hinamatsuri and the spiritual connection
With that being said, Hinamatsuri is primarily a festival to pray for girls well being, and to dispel bad luck or misfortune away from them. As well, with many of it’s roots in Hinanagashi, it cannot be said it developed primarily as a secular festival.
Indeed, there is a more deeply spiritual theory that states this festival has connections all the way back to the oath, or pledge, of Amaterasu Omikami-sama (A solar kami (goddess) that rules the celestial heavens and realm) and Susanoo no Mikoto-sama (Her younger brother. A kami (god) who is the kami of, and has responsibility for the sea, storms, and in some traditions, the stars as well).
In one myth of Shinto, Susanoo no Mikoto-sama, crying and in despair from the death of his mother, Izanami no Mikoto-sama, neglected his duties as a kami. His Father, Izanagi no Mikoto-sama, came to him and asked him why he was crying and upset. Susanoo no Mikoto-sama replied it was because he missed his Mother, and wanted to see her.
Izanagi no Mikoto-sama was upset by this due to a horrible past incident with Izanami no Mikoto-sama, as well as angered by Susanoo no Mikoto-sama’s neglect of duties. In reaction to hearing his reply, he banished Susanno no Mikoto-sama to the land below, to Earth, in the area of Japan known today as the Izumo region. Once he had banished him, Izanagi no Mikoto-sama left, never to be seen again.
Susanoo no Mikoto-sama, distraught and upset by these turn of events, decided to go see his eldest sister, and the one whom Izanagi no Mikoto-sama’s entrusted as his inheritor to rule over the heavenly celestial plain, Amaterasu Omikami-sama. Because of this, Amaterasu Omikami-sama was more loyal to and trusted her Father, Izanagi no Mikoto-sama. So when she saw Susanoo no Mikoto-sama coming, she felt it was an attack, or deception from him to take over her land and her crown.
She confronted him in anger, dressed in warrior’s clothing and hairstyle. Susanoo no Mikoto-sama insisted he was sincere, but Amaterasu Omikami-sama denied it, and accused him of ulterior motives.
After some negotiations, Amaterasu Omikami-sama came to an idea of an oath, or pledge.
Susanoo no Mikoto-sama would take Amaterasu Omikami-sama’s magatama (Ancient Japanese style curved bead) necklace, and chew it and breathe out the pieces. As well, Amaterasu Omikami-sama would take Susanoo no Mikoto-sama’s sword, chew it, and breathe out the pieces.
From the breathing out of the sword’s pieces by Amaterasu Omikami-sama, three goddesses (kami) were born, known as the Munekata sisters.
From the breathing out of the magatama necklace’s pieces by Susanoo no Mikoto-sama, Five gods (kami) were born.
Susanoo no Mikoto-sama exclaimed, “Because my sword borne three pure women, I am sincere of heart!” , and, Amaterasu Omikami-sama accepted this and allowed him into her realm.
In some alternate myths, Susanoo no Mikoto-sama says he is pure of heart because he had birthed five sons from her necklace.
It is not known really which myth is true, or which children belongs to which parent - but it is said, in essence, the two of them are parents to all eight children. However, Susanoo no Mikoto-sama is known as the Father to the Munekata sisters, (he took care of the daughters).
And, Amaterasu Omikami-sama is the Mother to the Five sons (She took care of the sons, and this is more proven by the connection to her grandson Ninigi no Mikoto-sama - who would later become the progenitor of the Imperial line - is the son of one of the five sons, Ame no Oshihomimi no Mikoto.)
What is the connection of this myth to Hinamatsuri?
If one looks at the traditional doll placement in Hinamatsuri, the clue is there. The placement left to right varies from Kanto to Kansai regions, but the doll tiers are always the same.
There is a man and woman at the top tier, called the Imperial Palace tier. The dolls are dressed as the Emperor and Empress. In this theory, it is said these may represent Amaterasu Omikami-sama and Susanoo no Mikoto-sama respectively.
The second tier is three female court ladies holding equipment for sake. Sake (or Omiki when offered to the kami) is a traditional offering in Shinto traditions for enjoyment of the kami, and especially on Matsuri (Festival) days. Since Hinamatsuri is a festival, it may also allude to this meaning. These three female court women would be representative of the Munekata sisters.
The third tier is five male musicians. They all hold an instrument, except the singer, who holds a fan. The instruments are small drum (taiko), large drum (otsuzumi), hand drum (kotsuzumi), Flute (yue). These five male figures would be representative of the five sons: Ame no Hohi no Mikoto-sama, Ame no Oshihomimi no Mikoto-sama, Ama Hishikone no Mikoto-sama, Ikushi Hikone no Mikoto-sama, and Kuma no Kusubi no Mikoto-sama. Who plays which instrument is debated, but Ame no Oshihomimi no Mikoto-sama is usually identified as the singer.
The fourth tier are the two ministers, known as the minister of the left and the minister of the right. These would represent the priests of the deities. In between them is offerings of mochi to the upper tiers.
Underneath them, they are flanked by a mandarin orange tree and a cherry blossom tree. This is representative of the transition of seasons, from Winter (Mandarian Orange tree) to Spring (Cherry Blossom tree), around this time.
Finally, the fifth tier are the last three dolls. They are known as the protectors, or helpers of the Emperor and Empress. It could be said this tier represents the people and the community, who uphold the virtue of the deities through prayer and visiting the shrine.
Below the fifth tier is various tools and furniture.
Modern-Day Hinamatsuri, Girl’s Day, and Doll display
With all this being said, not much spiritual significance or thought about the myths is mentioned of Hinamatsuri. It developed into a more overarching holiday and festival, specifically for girls, moreso than spiritual reasons. Despite these influences, Hinamatsuri is mostly nowadays seen as a secular holiday with a background of a spiritual history, symbols, and influence.
Hinamatsuri today is to specifically pray for all girls good health, happiness, longevity, beauty, and more. That is why, Hinamatsuri is also known simultaneously in modern times as Girl’s Day.
As we know, the dolls themselves became associated with girls strongly because of their connection as bridal gifts and feminine, delicate looking. As mentioned earlier, the grand doll display takes influence from the Hina-asobi tradition of displaying dolls by Heian nobles, however, these dolls are displayed now for the girls. Hinanagashi as well is still sometimes held at shrines and temples on this day too, but the dolls sent in the river are specifically for girls happiness and removal of bad luck.
Special foods are eaten on this day, and various decorations, treats, and fun is shared. A shrine or temple visit may be part of the plan, or just relaxing at home. But overall, it is a positive, happy, and wonderful day for girls and their family and friends.
Happy Hinamatsuri!