Chooses of Festival part 3

Doll Festival [also known as Girls Day or Hina Matsuri in Japanese]


Article by: © Linda Gillis 2010

Hina Matsuri translates into "doll festival" but this fun holiday is more commonly known as Girls Day and is celebrated every March 3rd.

Girls throughout Japan display their doll collections for a few days to celebrate "Hina Matsuri." One legend says if a girl displays her dolls for more than 3 days she will marry later in life.

In the weeks before Hina Matsuri you will begin to see displays of dolls in stores all over Okinawa. You'll see small and large displays exhibited with tiny furniture and other items.The dolls, called hina ningyo, vary in size and price. They are exhibited on one-, five- or seven-tiered display stands. Traditionally, two dolls representing the emperor and empress are positioned on the top level of the display stand which is draped in red cloth. These dolls are called Dairi-sama. They are attired in the traditional court costumes of ancient Japan. Around them are small pieces of furniture representing items found in the ancient imperial palace. Members of the royal entourage are arranged on the lower levels of the large stands.

A set of "hina" dolls usually consists of at least 15 dolls. Normally there will be three ladies in waiting, called Kanjo, five musicians, two retainers and three guards displayed in descending order on the shelves. They are often surrounded by small pieces of furniture, serving pieces and other items. Larger sets of dolls might also include more members of the imperial household, lamps, vases, flowers and trees.

On the seven-tiered stands the lower two levels are used to display things a Japanese
bride might receive as wedding gifts. Among these items you might find decorative screens, exquisite wedding baskets, chests of drawers, small tables and more.

Many grandparents buy a set of dolls for their first granddaughter and add dolls or other items as more granddaughters are born. Other families add an item or two to their displays each year.

During the Hina Matsuri festivities many girls donned in traditional kimono host parties for their friends. Traditional refreshments such as rice cakes and rice wine is served.Nowadays, some people also serve more modern treats. Small sets of chocolate Hina Matsuri dolls are becoming very popular. When the children's' party has concluded the entire family gathers for a traditional dinner honoring the girls in the family and prayers are offered for their good health and prosperity.

Hina Matsuri has been celebrated for many centuries throughout Asia and, as often is the case, it is said to have begun in China. Originally paper dolls were crafted to represent the young girls in the family. It was believed that if a doll was thrown into the water and it was carried downstream the girl's imperfections would be cast away. As this tradition evolved girls began to receive paper dolls representing the emperor and empress and then their courtiers were also added. The five- and seven-tiered stands started to become popular in the early 1600s.

Source of reference : http://www.2camels.com/doll‐festival.php


It was a very unique and special tradition of Japanese that last long till nowadays.Every girls will have a doll that represented herself and it seem like a symbol of ourself. The dolls are exquisite and I hope I have one too.

The dolls being displays on the altar.

There are also small furniture special made for the dolls.

The emperor and empress.

Decoration of light ball during Doll Festival.

Chooses of Festival part 2

Cherry Blossom Festival


Sakura Matsuri (Cherry Blossom Viewing Festival)

The 'Land of rising Sun', Japan is sometimes even referred to as the 'Land of Flowers'. Japan is blessed with some of the most exotic flowers that blooms in different seasons. The atmosphere in the country always remains colorful and cheerful with the colors of the flowers. One of them is the amazing Cherry Blossom. In Japan even the blossoming of the Cherry flower is a festive occasion. As a matter of fact from the ancient times Japanese has been celebrating the Cherry Blossom Festival as Hanami meaning Flower Viewing Festival. The festival popularly known as Sakura Matsuri (Cherry Blossom Viewing Festival) is hugely celebrated all throughout Tokyo, the capital city of Japan.

The flowers have acquired a pivotal status in the Japanese culture from an ancient times. Flowers in Japan are omnipresent in their culture. From the folk songs, paintings to the Japanese artifacts flowers are everywhere in Japan. Even the patterns of the design of the Kimonos are dominated by floral prints. Flowers have always been an integral part of the Japanese life and flower viewing a special occasion. Ironically, flower viewing in Japan has always meant the beautiful blooming cherry tree.

As history holds, from the eighth century and earlier Japanese have been offering prayers for better fertility of the earth as a part of a special ritual under the flowering cherry trees. The rituals took a turn during the Heian period as the Imperial court held a banquet on the eve of Sakura Matsuri. While during the Kamakura period (late 12th-14th century) the blooming Cherry Blossoms symbolizes life lived fully. The tradition of Sakura Matsuri has continue from there on.

The festival is accompanied by the singing, dancing and drinking shakes. Right for the Edo period this festival gained its pie of popularity and in the modern era the Japanese media have lend a hand in its popularity with the radio and television stations announcing the Sakura Zensen or Cherry Blossom front, allowing others to know about it so fun seekers from round the globe can flock in to enjoy the beauty of the blossom.

The blooming festival stretches its length from March to May throughout Japan. It embarks from Okinawa in the south in March and ends in Hokkaido in May.

Japanese have been successful in transferring the Cherry blossom fervor to USA as well by planting thousands of Cherry plants all across America.

Tokyo, the most visited place in Japan showcases the blossomed trees in the following areas of its prefecture:

  -   Aoyama Cemetary
  -   Chidori-ga-fuchi Minakami Park
  -   Inokashira Park
  -   Jingu Gaien (Meiji Jingu outer gardens)
  -   Kamonyama Koen (Kaomonyama Park)
  -   Koishikawa Shokubutsuen
  -   Shiba Koen / Zojo-ji
  -   Shinjuku Gyoen
  -   Sumida Park
  -   Ueno Park
  -   Yasukuni Shrine
  -   Yoyogi Park

Source of reference :  http://www.asiarooms.com/en/travel-guide/japan/tokyo/tokyo-festivals-%26-events/sakura-matsuri-(cherry-blossom-viewing-festival).html




15th of March is Japan's Cherry Blossom Festival. There are more than 30 types and 300 varieties of cherry present in Japan,and there are total more than 800 varieties of cherry in this world. All the public park in Japan are full of cherry blossom in everywhere. The Japanese think that Sakura has the elegant, bold, delicate and pretty simple and independent spirit.They treat cherry as symbols of industrious, brave and wisdom.


Source of references : http://www.hudong.com/wiki/%E6%A8%B1%E8%8A%B1%E8%8A%82
[I found this in chinese and I translate it by myself]

Cherry blossoms can be viewed from January to June in different regions in Japan, but most of cherry blossom festivals fall between March to May. Check cherry blossom forecasts and try to catch a cherry blossom festival in Japan.Gorgeous flowers are main attraction of the festivals, but various traditional Japanese performing arts presented in many festivals can't be missed. Joining tea ceremonies held under cherry trees can be a memorable experience as well. As hanami (cherry blossom viewing party) is an important Japanese custom, people enjoy eating home-cooked meals or take-out food under cherry trees. Take a look at the festival vendors which sell lots of food and souveniors, including regional crafts and speciality food in the region. It's notable that many cherry blossom festivals hold light-up events in the evening.


Source of References : http://gojapan.about.com/cs/cherryblossoms/a/sakurafestival.htm

Beside that, I found a Chinese website that state clearly about this festival but it was in Chinese.Feel free to visit it if you understand Chinese,it is a good reference of this festival.
http://baike.baidu.com/view/881159.htm

Here are some pictures that I searched from webs for this festival :

Chooses of Festival part 1

As I mention before, I think of choosing either Cherry Blossom Festival, Doll Festival or Obon/Bon Odori.I've been gathering information about these and I would like to share with you all now.

Obon/Bon Odori
Bon Odori (盆踊り), meaning simply Bon dance is a style of dancing performed during Obon. Originally a Nenbutsu folk dance to welcome the spirits of the dead, the style of celebration varies in many aspects from region to region. Each region has a local dance, as well as different music. The music can be songs specifically pertinent to the spiritual message of Obon, or local min'yo folk songs. Consequently, the Bon dance will look and sound different from region to region. Hokkaidō is known for a folk-song known as "Soran Bushi." The song "Tokyo Ondo" takes its namesake from the capital of Japan. There have been sources that the CCBC anime club have helped create this event."Goshu Ondo" is a folk song from Shiga prefecture. Residents of the Kansai area will recognize the famous "Kawachi ondo."Tokushima in Shikoku is very famous for its "Awa Odori," or "fool's dance," and in the far south, one can hear the "Ohara Bushi" of Kagoshima.

The way in which the dance is performed is also different in each region, though the typical Bon dance involves people lining up in a circle around a high wooden scaffold made especially for the festival called a 'yagura'. The yagura is usually also the bandstand for the musicians and singers of the Obon music. Some dances proceed clockwise, and some dances proceed counter-clockwise around the yagura. Some dances reverse during the dance, though most do not. At times, people face the yagura and move towards and away from it. Still some dances, such as the Kagoshima Ohara dance, and the Tokushima Awa Odori, simply proceed in a straight line through the streets of the town.

The dance of a region can depict the area's history and specialization. For example, the movements of the dance of the Tankō Bushi (the "coal mining song") of old Miike Mine in Kyūshū show the movements of miners, i.e. digging, cart pushing, lantern hanging, etc. All dancers perform the same dance sequence in unison.

There are other ways in which a regional Bon dance can vary. Some dances involve the use of different kinds of fans, others involve the use of small towels called tenugui which may have colorful designs. Some require the use of small wooden clappers, or "kachi-kachi" during the dance. The "Hanagasa Odori" of Yamagata is performed with a straw hat that has been decorated with flowers.

The music that is played during the Bon dance is not limited to Obon music and min'yo; some modern enka hits and kids' tunes written to the beat of the "ondo" are also used to dance to during Obon season. The "Pokémon Ondo" was used as one of the ending theme songs for the anime series in Japan.

The Bon dance tradition is said to have started in the later years of the Muromachi period as a public entertainment. In the course of time, the original religious meaning has faded, and the dance has become associated with summer.

To celebrate O-Bon in Okinawa, the eisa drum dance is performed instead.

In Malaysia, Bon Odori Festivals are also celebrated every year in Penang and at the Matsushita Corp Stadium in Shah Alam, Selangor. This celebration, which is a major attraction for the state of Selangor, is the brain child of the Japanese Expatriate & Immigrant's Society in Malaysia. In comparison to the celebrations in Japan, the festival is celebrated on a much smaller scale in Penang and Selangor, and is less associated with Buddhism and more with Japanese culture. Held mainly to expose locals to a part of Japanese culture, the festival provides the experience of a variety of Japanese food and drinks, art and dance. 

This few years, Bon Odori had become famous among Malaysian and its celebration is expand to Johor and also Perak.

Source of references : 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bon_Festival

Here are some pictures that related to Bon Odori.

I went for the Bon Odori Festival celebration in Shah Alam,Selangor this year also.It was quite interesting that everyone can participate in this event although we are not Japanese and also appreciated Japanese tradition together.

Below are some photos that I took :

The performers still rehearse for the performances later. 

Every participants will get a free fan of Bon Odori.

There are lot of stalls that selling Japanese food and drinks.

Even sushi are sold.

Many Japanese attend this festival also and we can feel free to take some photo with them.

The stage for drum and dance performances.

Drummers and dancers are ready to perform.

There are also Malaysia cultural performances on that day.

The videos that I took when Bon Odori :

The opening ceremony drum performed. 

First part of dance,there are totally three parts.