Why is Hinamatsuri celebrated on April 3rd of the lunar calendar in some regions?

Hinamatsuri is one of Japan's traditional events.
It is held every year on March 3rd to pray for the healthy growth of girls.

This is also called the Peach Festival .
It is one of the festivals held to pray for health and happiness as the seasons change.

Especially in areas where it is celebrated according to the lunar calendar,
It is usually held on April 3rd after the spring farm work.
This date is based on nature and the rhythm of life.

The origin of Hinamatsuri is in the ancient Chinese "Joshi no Sekku" festival.
This was a ritual to ward off evil spirits by purifying the body in the river.

This custom was introduced to Japan and became established as "Nagashibina" during the Heian period.
Gradually it developed into its present form.

Peach blossoms are often used for the Girls' Festival,
This is because peach blossoms were believed to ward off evil spirits .

In Japan, nature worship and the culture of praying for the safety of one's family are closely linked.
Hinamatsuri is also part of this.

In Japan, Hinamatsuri is usually celebrated on March 3rd.
In some areas, it is celebrated on April 3rd based on the lunar calendar.

Especially in agriculturally active areas,
It is generally celebrated outside of peak agricultural season and after the warmer weather of spring arrives.

This celebration based on the lunar calendar is
Accurately capture the change of seasons,
It symbolizes Japanese culture, which lives in harmony with the rhythm of nature.

Hinamatsuri, which is held on April 3rd of the lunar calendar,
By being sensitive to changes in nature,
It has taken root as a ritual to pray for the happiness of the family and the health of children .

Each region has its own unique events and customs,
For example, in some regions, the Nagashibina festival is very popular.
On the other hand, urban areas tend to have simpler ceremonies.

The Doll's Festival is a traditional Japanese event that has been held since the Heian period.
Its origin is said to be "Hina-asobi," a game played by the upper class in ancient times.

This custom began with displaying girl dolls.
Gradually it began to be celebrated in families,
Especially during the Edo period, extravagant tiered stands became common.

The reason for celebrating according to the lunar calendar is
This is to capture the change of seasons more accurately,
Since April 3rd on the lunar calendar often corresponds to March 3rd on the Gregorian calendar,
In some regions, the custom of celebrating in April to coincide with the arrival of spring remains strong.

Festivals based on the lunar calendar emphasize harmony with nature,
It reflects a deep part of Japanese culture, which places great importance on seasonality.

Nagashibina is a ritual in which dolls made of paper or grass are floated down a river to ward off evil spirits.

This ritual is an ancient Chinese custom of exorcism that was brought to Japan.
During the Heian period, it came to be performed as a court ceremony.

Nowadays, Nagashibina remains a local tradition.
This ritual is especially popular on the lunar calendar's Doll's Festival , held by rivers and ponds.

By entrusting the family's misfortunes and disasters to the dolls and letting them float down the river,
It is meant to convey the meaning of preparing for the new spring.

Nagashibina is still practiced in many areas today.
The community can be seen coming together to pray for the safety of their families .

The Hina dolls, which can be said to be the main attraction of Hinamatsuri,
It's not just about decorating, but the timing and cleaning up are also important.

In areas based on the lunar calendar, Hinamatsuri is celebrated on April 3rd instead of March 3rd.
The timing of displaying Hina dolls also follows the lunar calendar schedule.

It is usually considered best to decorate after the beginning of spring .
This principle remains the same even if the festival is celebrated according to the lunar calendar.

In particular, on a girl's first Doll's Festival , Hina dolls are displayed to pray for the child's healthy growth.

You also need to be careful about tidying up.
It is considered best to tidy up as soon as possible after Hinamatsuri is over.

There is a superstition that if you delay cleaning up, your daughter's marriage will be delayed .
This is merely an old belief, and in modern times this way of thinking is fading.

Two of the traditional dishes that are essential for Hinamatsuri are hishi-mochi and hina arare .

Hishimochi is a layered rice cake of three colors : green, white, and pink.
Each colour has a special meaning.

Green represents "health," white represents "purity," and pink represents "protection from evil."
Combined, these represent the wish for health and happiness for the family .

On the other hand, Hina Arare is
These small, colorful rice snacks are
Depending on the region, the flavor may vary, such as sweet or salty.

In the Kanto region, sweet seasonings are the norm,
In the Kansai region, it is said to be salty.

Hina Arare is a way of expressing gratitude for the blessings of nature and the changing seasons .
It is traditionally eaten by families during Hinamatsuri.

These foods are not just decorations or snacks;
It has a deep meaning rooted in traditional Japanese culture.

The words "Girls' Festival" and "Peach Festival" are often used synonymously,
If we trace its origins and background, there are some differences.

Hinamatsuri is a traditional event unique to Japan that prays for the healthy growth of girls.
The Doll Festival is one of the five seasonal festivals held in accordance with the change of seasons.

The reason why the Peach Festival was set on March 3rd is
The peach blossoms bloom at that exact time.
And since ancient times, peaches have been a symbol of longevity and protection from evil .

On this day, families and communities celebrate together and hold events to pray for the growth and development of girls.

Also, at this time of year when spring comes,
It also represents a celebration of the change of seasons.
It also serves as a ritual to mark the beginning of a new year with the arrival of spring.

In particular, peach blossoms have been used since ancient times as talismans,
The Girls' Festival has also been cherished as a day to pray for the health and safety of family members .

The Doll's Festival, which is celebrated based on the old seasonal festivals ,
The format and customs vary greatly from region to region.

For example, in agriculturally-rich regions, Hinamatsuri is often celebrated on April 3rd after the spring farm work has come to an end.
Celebrations based on the lunar calendar remain deeply rooted.

In particular, in cold regions, it is customary to hold Hinamatsuri after waiting for the arrival of spring .
As we approach the Doll's Festival, we should be grateful for the blessings of nature.
A ceremony is held to celebrate the growth of girls.

Also, each region has its own unique customs,
For example, there are places where the Nagashi Hina Ceremony is held on a grand scale,
In some places, local shrines and temples hold special events.

The format of Hinamatsuri varies from region to region and is rooted in the local climate and culture.
You can see that local traditions are being passed down in each region.

The Hatsusekku is the first Hinamatsuri that a girl experiences after her birth and is celebrated with particular pomp.

On this day, people pray for the healthy growth and health of girls.
Families and relatives gather together to celebrate.

Of course, we decorate the dolls,
There may be traditional ceremonies and events unique to the first festival.

Generally, family and relatives gather together,
There will be a meal and an exchange of gifts .

The meal includes standard Hinamatsuri dishes such as chirashi sushi and clam soup,
Especially in the case of the first Doll Festival, lavish preparations are often made.

In addition, as a celebration, grandparents and relatives
Sometimes people also give Hina dolls or items related to the Doll's Festival.

In particular, sets of Hina dolls are highly valued as gifts,
It will be treasured as a lifelong keepsake for girls.

The first festival is an important event that deepens family ties,
For parents, it is an important event that marks a milestone in their child's growth.

A beautiful Hina doll display that can be put in and taken out of a glass case [Harukaze Hina]

Hinamatsuri is an event where families gather together to celebrate the growth of girls.
It's also an important time to deepen family bonds .

In particular, Hinamatsuri, which is celebrated based on the old seasonal festivals ,
This is an event where families gather after the spring farm work is over, and they feel a connection with the local community.
It will be an opportunity to strengthen ties between family members and relatives.

On this day, families decorate Hina dolls ,
By gathering around the dining table and enjoying peach blossoms and traditional cuisine,
The whole family comes together to celebrate the girl's future.

Also, when decorating Hina dolls,
It is an opportunity to teach children about its history and meaning.
It also plays a role in passing on traditional culture to the next generation.

During this period, communication within the family increases, and the relationship between parents and children deepens.
Celebrating Hinamatsuri with the whole family will be a lifelong memory .

By celebrating Hinamatsuri, children can experience Japanese traditions and culture firsthand ,
It will be a valuable experience that will make you realize that you are loved and protected within the family.

The history of Hinamatsuri dates back to the Heian period.
In areas where it is celebrated according to the lunar calendar , there is a deep connection to agriculture behind it.

The Doll's Festival, celebrated on the old seasonal festival day ,
They are usually carried out after crops have been planted, avoiding the busy agricultural season in spring, and are therefore rooted in lifestyle habits based on the rhythm of nature.

In particular, April 3rd is considered the time for Hinamatsuri in rural areas,
It is an important occasion to give thanks for the blessings of nature and pray for the prosperity of one's family.

In Japan's agriculture-based society,
The lunar calendar Hinamatsuri is also an important ceremony to confirm family and community ties ,
It is an important day to celebrate the arrival of spring and pray for safety in the new year.

The lunar calendar's Hinamatsuri is not just a celebration of the healthy growth of girls,
It symbolizes a culture in which the entire region comes together and lives in harmony with the cycles of nature .
Its significance is being reevaluated even today.

Hinamatsuri is not just a traditional event, but an important opportunity to deepen family ties and community ties.
Especially on Hinamatsuri, which is celebrated according to the lunar calendar ,
The Japanese lifestyle and culture that values ​​coexistence with nature remains strong here.

Even today, Hinamatsuri has not lost its value.
Strengthening communication within families
It is positioned as an important event for conveying traditional Japanese culture to children.

Especially the lunar calendar Hinamatsuri ,
They play an important role in preserving local culture and customs while passing on their value to the next generation.
It will be necessary for families and local communities to continue to work together to pass this tradition on to the future.

Nowadays, the ways of decorating and celebrating Hinamatsuri have become more diverse .
Without being bound by traditional formalities, it is possible to celebrate in new ways that suit your family's situation and lifestyle.

Still, the family gathered together,
The basic goal of wishing for girls' growth remains the same.
Hinamatsuri is an important traditional event that should continue into the future.