How to display and arrange Hina dolls: Position, order of parts, left and right

Decorating your Hina dolls beautifully and correctly is an important step in enjoying Hinamatsuri even more.

Especially for first-time visitors, it can be difficult to know how to arrange the dolls.

There are traditional rules for displaying Hina dolls, and knowing the correct arrangement will help you bring out the charm of the dolls to the fullest.

First, we start by preparing the stage.
Hinadan has a number of tiers, and there are various styles, such as three-tiered and seven-tiered displays.

The dolls and props placed on each tier will vary, so be sure to check carefully before decorating.

When decorating Hina dolls, it is important to pay attention to the placement and order of each doll.
Basically, the top tier is topped with dolls representing the Emperor and Empress, and each tier down is decorated with dolls representing different roles, such as the Three Court Ladies and the Five Musicians.

In addition, the splendor of Hinamatsuri is further enhanced by decorating the entire stage with cherry blossoms, tangerines, peach blossoms, and other ornaments.

By decorating the dolls in the correct arrangement, you can make preparations for Hinamatsuri fun and teach children the importance of traditional Japanese culture .

Hina dolls are not just decorations, but a traditional Japanese event with a deep history and meaning .

Hinamatsuri, also known as the Peach Festival, has long been held as an event to pray for the healthy growth and happiness of girls.
Its origins date back to the Heian period, when it developed from the "Hina Asobi" (doll-playing) that was practiced among aristocrats.

Eventually, the custom of "Nagashibina," in which the dolls take on misfortunes in the place of the deceased, was added, and the current form of Hinamatsuri was established.

Hina dolls symbolize the Emperor and Empress, and are important as a symbolic presence that prays for the happiness of the family. In particular, by displaying the Dairibina , prayers are made for the well-being of the family and the future of girls.

Through Hina dolls, Japanese culture and values ​​can be passed on to children even today, and it provides an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of family time together .

The three-tiered display is a style of Hina doll that is easy for beginners to display.

As a basic guide to beautifully displaying Hina dolls , it is important to know the correct way to arrange them.
In a three-tiered display, the Emperor and Empress dolls are placed on the top tier, three court ladies on the second tier, and five musicians on the third tier.

The Dairibina dolls represent the Emperor and Empress and are the central symbol of the Doll's Festival.

The three court ladies are responsible for supporting the wedding preparations, and the five musicians represent the musicians who liven up the banquet.

A tip for displaying a three-tiered display is to consider the balance of the doll placement .

The Emperor and Empress dolls are placed symmetrically, and the three court ladies and five musicians are also placed in the same order, maintaining balance between the left and right.

In addition, by properly arranging the decorative items and flowers, you can bring harmony to the entire Hina doll display.

The three-tiered display is simple, yet is a style that fully expresses the charm of Hinamatsuri, and the whole family can have fun decorating it.

The seven-tiered display is one of the most extravagant styles of Doll's Festival, with each tier housing dolls and items with different meanings and roles.

The seven-tiered display features dolls with different roles , including the Emperor and Empress dolls, three court ladies, five musicians, the Minister of the Right and the Minister of the Left, attendants and servants.

Additionally, various items are placed on each tier, including dressing tables, chests and other items that reflect the lifestyles of aristocrats from long ago.

In order to properly decorate your Hina dolls, it is important to understand the meaning of the dolls and accessories on each tier and to arrange them appropriately.

By arranging the dolls from the top row onwards and then the accessories underneath, you can achieve a balanced look.

Also, since the seven-tiered decorations are luxurious and beautiful, the whole family can enjoy decorating them together.

The splendor of the seven-tiered decoration symbolizes the strong desire for the growth and happiness of girls, who are the main characters of Hinamatsuri.

Japan has a variety of traditions and cultures, and the way in which Hina dolls are displayed varies depending on the region.

There are clear differences between how Hina dolls are displayed in the Kanto and Kansai regions , and the reasons for this are related to historical and cultural differences.

In the Kanto region, the dolls are arranged with the Emperor on the left and the Empress on the right.
This is based on the position of the modern Emperor and can be said to be an arrangement that incorporates a modern sensibility.

On the other hand, in the Kansai region, older traditions are respected and the Emperor is placed on the right and the Empress on the left .
This reflects the arrangement at the Imperial Court during the Heian period.

As such, there are differences between the way Hina dolls are arranged in Kanto and Kansai, but both respect local traditions and are imbued with the desire for family happiness .

By learning about regional differences, you can deepen your understanding of Hinamatsuri and have fun with the whole family. Also, by coming up with creative ways to decorate the Hina dolls, you can pass on traditions while respecting the culture of each region.

Dairibina is the most important doll among the Hina dolls displayed during the Girls' Festival.
The Dairibina dolls symbolize the Emperor and Empress and are considered to be the center of the family.

Usually, the Dairibina are placed on the top tier of the doll stand and are a symbol of celebrating the Girls' Festival . By displaying the Dairibina correctly, it expresses strong feelings of wishing for the peace of the family and the healthy growth of girls.

The key point to remember when arranging the Dairi Hina dolls is to place them symmetrically and in a well-balanced manner.
The common arrangement in the Kanto region is to place the male doll representing the Emperor on the left and the female doll representing the Empress on the right.

On the other hand, in the Kansai region, this is reversed, with male dolls on the right and female dolls on the left.

It is interesting to note that the placement of the ornaments differs according to local traditions .
The Dairibina dolls are the centerpiece of the Ohina dolls, and they are meant to bring happiness and health to the family. By arranging them correctly, you can pass on traditional Japanese culture to children through the Girls' Festival.

The three court ladies play an important role among the Hina dolls as maids who support the princess.

They represent the women preparing for the wedding and are symbols of family unity and support during Hinamatsuri . The three court ladies are usually placed on the second tier of the doll stand, lined up to support the Emperor and Empress.

There are also rules for the placement of the three court ladies.
On the left side is a standing court lady, and in the center is a seated court lady.
Another standing court lady is placed on the right side.

The props each lady holds also have meaning: the lady on the left holds a sake vessel, the lady in the middle holds a stand, and the lady on the right holds a long-handled sake cup. These props are essential items for a wedding, and they represent the three ladies making wedding preparations.

By arranging them correctly, you can express the roles of the three court ladies and their deeper meaning during Hinamatsuri.

The five musicians symbolize the musicians who liven up the Hinamatsuri feast.
They are lined up around the Emperor and Empress dolls and the three court ladies, enhancing the splendor of the Doll's Festival.

Each of the Goninbayashi members has a different instrument, and each instrument has a special meaning.
They play instruments such as flutes, drums, and shamisen, and play a role in livening up the wedding ceremony.

The five musicians are arranged on the third tier, but when arranging them, it is important to make sure they are symmetrical on both sides.
Lined up from the left are musicians with flutes, drums, and shamisen, and the musical performance brings harmony to the entire stage.

The five musicians symbolize the wedding of the Hina dolls and express the excitement and joy of the Doll's Festival.
This arrangement will help you convey the meaning of Hinamatsuri to your children and also allow the whole family to share in the joy of the festival.

The Minister of the Right and the Minister of the Left are placed on the doll stand as chamberlains whose role it is to protect the Emperor and Empress dolls.

The Minister of the Right is usually a senior chamberlain who carries a bow or sword and is positioned to the right of the stage.
On the other hand, the Minister of the Left is depicted as a young chamberlain and is placed on the left side.

These chamberlains are extremely important in Hinamatsuri as they symbolize the protection of the Imperial Family and the family.
By properly decorating the Right and Left Ministers, the meaning of praying for the safety and prosperity of the family is emphasized.

They are also symbols of strength and protection, as they are armed for battle.
The Minister of the Right symbolizes the wisdom of old age, while the Minister of the Left represents youth and courage. By placing these two near the Emperor and Empress dolls, a strong message is conveyed that they are protecting the peace of the family and the growth of children.

By arranging them correctly, you can convey the importance of family unity and protection through Hinamatsuri.

Hina doll decorations include an important element called Hina doll accessories .
These items reflect the lives of the nobility of the past and are required to be arranged correctly during the Girls' Festival.

There are many different types of Hina dolls accessories, such as dressing tables, chests of drawers, and long chests, and each has a deep meaning.
The dressing table symbolizes beauty, while the chest of drawers symbolizes family prosperity and happiness.
Nagatochi are tools for safely storing property and treasures, and are imbued with wishes for future prosperity.

By displaying these items together with the Hina dolls, you can pray for the health and good fortune of your family.
Additionally, the Hina dolls are arranged in tiers, with the height and placement of the tiers also having meaning.

Through the arrangement of tools, you can pass on the traditional Japanese lifestyle to the next generation and deepen family bonds.

The peach blossoms and cherry blossoms displayed during Hinamatsuri symbolize the coming of spring and the rebirth of life .
Peach blossoms are especially indispensable during Hinamatsuri, as they are believed to have the power to ward off evil spirits.

Peach blossoms, when displayed together with the Hina dolls, express wishes for the healthy growth of girls and the happiness of the family. Peach blossoms are usually placed symmetrically on the left and right sides of the Hinadan.

On the other hand, cherry blossoms are also displayed as a symbol of spring, enhancing their beauty and vitality .

Peach and cherry blossoms are not just decorations, but symbols of life that have existed since ancient times, and they evoke the changing scenery of the four seasons in Japan. By decorating correctly, you can celebrate the arrival of spring through Hinamatsuri and pray for the health and prosperity of your family.

During the Girls' Festival, let's understand the symbolism of these flowers and decorate them with care.

By understanding how to properly decorate Hina dolls, you can enjoy the festival even more.

This traditional event is an important one that prays for the healthy growth of girls and the happiness of their families.

From the Emperor and Empress dolls to the three court ladies, five musicians, the Minister of the Right and the Minister of the Left, each doll has a special meaning.

In addition, by properly arranging the dolls, peach blossoms, and cherry blossoms,
It can express the culture and beauty of Japan.

Decorating the Hina dolls is not just about decoration,
It's a wonderful opportunity to teach the importance of family time together and to pass on Japan's traditional culture to the next generation.

Through Hinamatsuri, we can deepen family ties,
You will be able to let your children experience the beautiful culture of Japan.