Featured Object: Hina Matsuri Miniature Flower Cart and Parts

• Collections tag

• Post Date: 03/05/2018
• Reading Time: 2 minute read

This flower cart, made at a doll’s scale, was once part of a display presented during a Japanese spring-time event called Hina Matsuri (Doll’s or Girl’s Festival) or Momo-no-Sekku (Peach Blossom’s Festival). This holiday is observed by families with young daughters in order to wish the daughters a successful future, to express feelings of love and pride, and to encourage loyalty. The celebration involves a detailed display of special dolls (hina ningyo), set up in one’s home on a tiered stand and surrounded by many props (hina dougu) such as this flower cart.

This holiday has evolved over many centuries. About a thousand years ago, the idea was to create and destroy a simple paper doll, and in doing so, transfer life’s problems to the doll and watch them fade away. During the Edo period (1603–1967), the event shifted to more closely resemble today’s tradition, in which the dolls are much more intricate, with detailed props that are so treasured that they are passed down from generation to generation.

In today’s celebration, it is important to pay respects to the dolls and offer them seasonal treats such as pastel-colored rice cakes and cookies. It is hoped that in turn the dolls will provide protection and good fortune for a family’s daughter(s). The peach blossoms found on this cart are a symbol of a happy and early marriage. The dolls and props are displayed from late February until the day of the festival but must be put away immediately afterward or, according to superstition, the daughter will have great trouble finding a husband.

This article was originally published on 3/10/2006, but is presented here with expanded photography.