Hina Matsuri, Doll’s Day

Hina Matsuri, also called Doll’s Day or Girl’s Day, is celebrated each year in Japan on March 3 to celebrate the happiness, growth, and good health of girls. In Japan, families with daughters mark the festival by displaying intricately crafted hina dolls dressed in ornate costumes several days before the festival. Visitors can view and take photos with a traditional display of hina dolls in the Cathy Rudd Cultural Corner in the Jordan Schnitzer Japanese Arts Learning Center. March 3 is also called Momo-no-Sekku, or Peach Blossom Festival, because according to the lunar calendar peach blossoms were in full bloom on this day. It was also believed that peach blossoms had the power to drive away evil spirits. At Portland Japanese Garden, like many families in Japan, we display sprigs of peach blossoms together with hina dolls. An ikebana arrangement by Carolyn Alter, Head Teacher of the Ohara School of Ikebana’s Oregon Chapter, featuring peach blossoms will accompany the display.