March 3 is Japanese traditional festival for girls.
Most family with girls display Hina-dolls and pray for girl's good health, future and happy marriage.
Originally, this husband and wife style represents a wedding of Japan's Emperor and Empress.
Some Japanese still have family-heirloom dolls.
It is said that an each family can't share/use/receive other family's dolls.
Especially, old dolls.
Because dolls absorb each family's misfortune or sacrifice on behalf of families and girls.
This concept is called Yorishiro in Shinto.(Nature worship)
Once a year, dolls are displayed beautifully and they enjoy small foods.
General display
First step / Emperor and Empress
Second step / 3 attendant ladies
Third step / 5 Musicians men
Fourth step / 2 guard men
Fifth step / 3 public men for chores
Sixth step / New furniture and tools for Empress
Seventh step / Vehicles for a parade
7 step style.
Mine were only husband and wife but it was enough.
Japanese people feel spring season with Hina-Matsuri.
The hanging display is called Tsurushi-Bina.
Tiny dolls in bamboo.
This is related to Japanese oldest fairy story,"The tale of the bamboo cutter"(Princess Kaguya)
Katsuura city's big Hina-Matsuri is famous.
(At Tomisaki shrine)
This is the oldest way of Hina-dolls. (Nagashi-Bina culture)
People make simple paper dolls and throw dolls away.
Priests and miko shaman ladies perform a memorial service for used dolls.
Usually, dolls are burned with gratitude but Awashima shrine throw some dolls away on the sea. (Not all dolls in the shrine)
Japan has many kinds of memorial services for "used" or "forgotten" things.
Most important memorial service is for own ancestors.
How to do
Also Japanese enjoy some sweets for spring season.
Hina-arare. Colorful rice crackers.
Some people buy or make special cakes for Hina-Matsuri.
This is Rakugan.
（Dry confection of starch and expensive fine sugar, Wasanbon)
Sweet sake-like drink, Shirozake.
Chirashi-Zushi, a kind of Sushi.
This is not only for Hina-Matsuri.
We often eat it on celebration events.
Clear clam soup.
Traditional Hina-Matsuri song.
This song reminds me of my childhood.