Have you ever heard of “Hina Matsuri” or “Momo no Sekku”?

In Japan, that day is know as Girl's Festival, Girl's Day or Doll Festival It is annually celebrated in March 3rd. On that day, families pray for happiness and prosperity of their young girls. The festival is also a good time to visit a shirne or temple. Little girls wear their traditional kimonos, hold heir paper dolls in hands to place it in a boat and sail. They believe that by this way, girl will be safe from the evils because the boat will keep these wicked spirits distant from them.

When the Hina Matsuri comes, parents and their girls will set up a display of dolls inside the house and offer rice crackers, sakura mochi and other food to the dolls.

The Hina dolls represent social status of the imperial court in ancient time, especially during the Heian period. There are the prince, princess, royal musicians, servants dressed in kimonos specified by their social status. The doll's placement starts with the highest ranking on the top tier ending with the lowest on the bottom. Therefore, the prince and princess are always on the top level.

Generally, the dolls are shown from th middle of February or 10 days before the festival. Somewhere may shown longer than that. Japanese believe that their daughter's life will be in trouble if the display is set tardily.