Definition and difference between "Ohinasama" and "Hina dolls"

Hina dolls are traditional Japanese dolls that are the centerpiece of the Girl's Festival, but once they are welcomed into the home and displayed, their name changes.

Although known as "hina ningyo" when purchased, these dolls come to be respected and called "ohinasama" within the home.

This difference in name carries a deeper meaning than just the name.

First of all, the name "hina ningyo" is often used before purchasing a doll or at official events, and has a prestigious ring to it.

The use of this name reflects Japan's court culture and formality , and has historical significance.

For example, Hina dolls are part of Japanese history as they represent the clothing and customs used at the imperial court.

On the other hand, the moment when a doll is called "Ohinasama" is when it is welcomed into the family and decorated for Hinamatsuri.

At this point, the doll goes beyond being just a doll and becomes a symbol of a member of the family .

In Japanese homes, Hina dolls are important to the whole family, and are especially important to children as they are the object of prayers for their healthy growth.

By displaying it year after year, your attachment to it will grow stronger.

The timing for decorating the dolls is to coincide with March 3rd, which is called "Peach Festival."

This marks the change of seasons in Japan and is also an event to celebrate the arrival of spring, with Hina dolls at the heart of the festival.

Decorating the Hina dolls is a very important ritual in which the family prepares to welcome spring.

It is generally considered best to decorate from early to mid-February .

It is said that it is especially good to decorate them during periods known as "Risshun" and "Usui," and this is based on ancient customs.

This is a special time when all family members work together to decorate the dolls.

The ceremony of decorating the Hina dolls is not just a formality, but an important event that deepens family bonds.

For children in particular, this Hinamatsuri is a precious experience in which their growth is celebrated.

Decorating the dolls together with your parents and grandparents is an opportunity to feel family unity and love .

Once Hinamatsuri is over, the next thing to consider is when to put the dolls away .

There is a Japanese saying that if you don't put away the Hina dolls quickly, your daughter will be late in getting married.

These words contain age-old family wishes and prayers, and are a time when the whole family should respond carefully.

So why is the timing of tidying up so important?

The ideal day to tidy up is right after March 3rd .

This signifies preparation for the next turning point after Hinamatsuri is over.

In particular, in households wishing for marriage or career advancement, it has been believed that putting the Hina dolls away early once they have completed their role within the household will bring good luck.

Tidying up day is also a time to reaffirm family ties .

By having all family members decorate the dolls and put them away in the same way, important roles within the household are emphasized.

Since Hinamatsuri itself is an event to pray for the growth and happiness of girls, the act of tidying up is also treated like a ritual.

Hina dolls are called "Ohinasama" from the moment they are displayed in a home, but as they become more familiar with the home, the name may change to "Ohinasan."

This change represents the deepening bond between the family and the Hina dolls.

Initially, when purchased, Hina dolls are "hina dolls" that serve the purpose of preserving official ceremonies and traditions.

However, as they are displayed in homes and spend more time with family, they come to be affectionately referred to as "Ohinasama."

As more time passes, they become more familiar and are called "Ohina-san," and are like members of the family.

This change in the way we call things reflects the familiarity that is unique to Japanese people.

The "Ohinasama" is an object of respect, and as family members gradually come to call her "Ohina-san" with affection, the family becomes closer to her.

This change shows that Hina dolls have gone beyond being mere dolls; they have become close members of the family .

When displaying Hina dolls, the number of tiers has a special meaning .

A traditional Hinadan generally has seven tiers, with each tier housing a specific doll or prop.

This way of decorating is an important ritual that represents the family's prayers as well as the history and role of the dolls.

The top tier is decorated with the Emperor and Empress dolls.

This symbolizes the central figure in the family and is a symbol of Hinamatsuri.

These dolls represent home stability and family happiness, and are especially displayed in hopes of the growth and happiness of girls .

The second tier contains the "Three Court Ladies."

These dolls represent the women who serve at the Imperial Court, and they give dignity and sophistication to the entire Hina doll collection.

From the third tier onwards, there are rows of "Five Musicians," "Attendants," and "Servants" who pray for the health and prosperity of the family.

These dolls are also important symbols of Japanese history and culture that have been passed down from the past.

When choosing a Hina doll, it is important to choose one with the feeling that you are welcoming an important member into your family.

There are many different types and designs of Hina dolls, and the one you choose can reflect the traditions and values ​​of your family.

So how do you choose the ideal one?

First of all, when choosing a Hina doll, consider the ties and feelings of your family .

Traditional Hina dolls are characterized by gorgeous costumes and beautiful faces that symbolize the imperial court, but simple and modern designs are also popular today.

The key point to consider when choosing is whether it is something that your family will continue to love for many years to come.

It is a good idea to choose a design that takes into consideration the growth of your family and the fact that it can be passed down to the next generation.

It is also a good idea to choose a Hina doll that reflects the characteristics of each region, taking into account the different customs and traditions of that region.

In particular, when gifts are given by grandparents, they are chosen to reflect the unique characteristics of that family, as a precious gift that will be passed down from parent to child and from child to grandchild.

The bond between the dolls and the children deepens through the Doll's Festival.

Hinamatsuri is a traditional Japanese event and an important day to pray for the growth and happiness of girls.

For children in particular, the moment when the Hina dolls become part of the family has a special meaning.

Decorating the dolls is a ritual that is performed by the family .

The time spent assembling the stage with parents and grandparents and carefully arranging the dolls is a moment that deepens the love between family members.

Through this event, children will learn about Japanese traditions and culture while also strengthening ties with their families.

Especially for young children, Hina dolls are not just decorations but like guardians .

Furthermore, Hinamatsuri is a valuable opportunity for children to experience Japan's seasonal changes and culture .

Celebrating Hinamatsuri with your family and feeling the arrival of spring allows you to feel the changing of the seasons and foster gratitude for nature and culture.

Furthermore, time spent with the Hina dolls will become a precious memory for growing children, helping them to understand the meaning and joy of Hinamatsuri.

The timing of displaying the Hina dolls is of course important, but how long they are displayed is equally important.

In Japan, there is a tradition that after Hinamatsuri, the dolls should be put away as quickly as possible. The reason for this is that an old saying has taken root that if the dolls are not put away quickly, the daughter will not get married until later.

This legend strongly reflects the family's wishes for the growth and marriage of a girl.

Once the festival is over, the dolls are quickly put away to bring in good luck and pray for happiness in the future.

However, in modern times, fewer households strictly follow this tradition, and people are becoming more flexible in tidying up according to each family's lifestyle.

Generally, it is considered best to put away the Hina dolls within a few days after March 3rd, or at the latest within a week.

However, depending on the region or household, the decorations may be left up for a little longer .

For example, some families keep the decorations up until the beginning of spring, while others take them down a little later to accommodate their busy schedules.

The key is to get it done right before your family moves into the next season.

Also, when putting the dolls away, it is important to take good care of them and show your gratitude to them.

Keeping the dolls, which contain the family's wishes, beautiful so that they can be welcomed back next year is one of the traditional Japanese ways of thoughtfulness .

In this way, putting away the Hina dolls after Hinamatsuri is not just a simple tidying up task, but also an important ritual leading up to the next milestone.

Once you purchase a Hina doll, it is not enough to just put it on display; it requires care to keep it beautiful for a long time .

Hina dolls are made from delicate materials and, with regular care, can become treasured possessions that can be passed down for generations of a family.

So, how should you take care of your Hina dolls?

First of all, after Hinamatsuri is over, it is important to carefully dust it off .

When displayed for a long period of time, dust tends to accumulate on the delicate costumes and accessories of Hina dolls.

If dust accumulates while stored, the material will deteriorate, so be sure to gently dust it off with a soft cloth or feather duster.

This will help prolong the beauty of the dolls' outfits.

Next, when storing Hina dolls, it is important to keep them in a dry place .

Storing it in a humid place can cause mold to grow and damage the costume.

It is especially important to pay close attention to the storage environment during Japan's humid seasons.

If possible, place a desiccant in the storage box for Hina dolls to prevent moisture.

Additionally, make sure to keep the doll's face and hands out of direct sunlight .

Powder used on the face tends to yellow when exposed to sunlight.

Even during the Doll's Festival, it is best to decorate the dolls in a place away from direct sunlight.

By working together as a family to care for the dolls, we can protect the dolls and pass them down to the next generation .

With proper care, it will remain a special part of your family and will be loved for a long time.

After the Hina dolls are welcomed into the home, the relationship with the family deepens each time they are displayed each year.

When purchased, the Ohinasama is treated as a respected "Hina Doll," but the process in which it gradually changes to the affectionate name "Ohina-san" is full of the unique atmosphere of a Japanese household .

So why does this name change have special meaning for the family?

1. From Hina Dolls to "Ohinasama": From Respect to Love When Ohinasama are purchased, they are treated as prestigious "Hina Dolls" and welcomed into the family.

At this point, it has become a traditional symbol of court culture and formality .

However, as the family displays them and looks after them every time Hinamatsuri comes around, the love for them as members of the household gradually grows, and they come to be called "Ohinasama" with respect and affection.

The Hina dolls, which were originally sacred objects, eventually take on the role of protector of the family .

2. From "Ohinasama" to "Ohinasan": A symbol of affection and familiarity. As the Doll's Festival is repeated every year, the bond between the family and the Ohinasama deepens , and the dolls come to be affectionately referred to as "Ohinasan."

This change in name reflects the affection and familiarity that families have developed for the dolls over a long period of time.

In particular, children come to accept the Hina dolls as protective figures and become more familiar with them.

Through this process, the Hina dolls become familiar figures in the home , and their relationship with the family grows closer each year.

3. The family bond and time contained in the name The name "Ohinasan" is more than just a difference in words; it contains the long history and memories that have been shared together as a family.

By decorating the dolls every time Hinamatsuri comes around, the whole family comes to respect their existence and their wishes for the family's growth and happiness grow stronger.

This uniquely Japanese sensibility is also a symbol of deepening family bonds, and special moments are created within families through the annual Hinamatsuri ritual.

4. The story of Hina dolls as they journey with their familiesHina dolls are important to families, and the bond between them deepens each year when they are displayed.

Hina dolls grow alongside the family and are passed down to the next generation; they are not merely decorations but symbols that live with the family's history .

In Japanese homes, Hina dolls are treated as treasured members of the family and remain special beings, filled with respect and love.

In this way, Hina dolls will continue to be loved for a long time to come as a symbol of family ties and love .

Hina dolls bring a lot of excitement to families during Hinamatsuri.

In particular, celebrating Hinamatsuri together as a family allows the whole family to feel the traditional Japanese values ​​and family ties .

Hinamatsuri is an event to celebrate the growth of girls, but it is also a time for the whole family to come together and pray for their future .

When displaying the Hina dolls, the whole family works together to arrange the tiers and treat the dolls with care.

This is an important ritual that involves the cooperation of all family members, and each member performs it with gratitude and prayer .

Additionally, time spent together as a family during Hinamatsuri creates special memories and is an important opportunity to strengthen family ties.

The emotion that Hina dolls bring goes beyond being mere decorative items.

Displayed every year, the Hina dolls watch over the growth and changes of the family , acting almost like guardians of the household.

Especially for children, memories of the Hina dolls and Hinamatsuri will become precious memories that will be deeply etched in their hearts for the future.

The Doll's Festival also marks the arrival of spring, and marks the beginning of a new season .

As families experience the changing of the seasons through Hinamatsuri, they also feel gratitude for nature and are moved by the beauty of each season.

In this way, the emotions brought about by Hinamatsuri and the Hina dolls are something special, interwoven with traditional Japanese culture and family ties.

Hina is a special person in our family.

When purchased, they are treasured as "hina dolls" and displayed in the home.
They are revered as "Ohinasama" .

As the years go by, the doll comes to be affectionately called "Ohina-san," and her presence in the family grows stronger, until she truly becomes a part of the household .

This change in name shows that the Hina dolls are not just decorations, but are beloved figures that are close to families.

The time spent together as a family, deepening bonds while decorating the dolls and making wishes for the future through Hinamatsuri is an irreplaceable experience.

Celebrating Girls' Day allows families to reaffirm their appreciation for Japanese traditions and nature , and strengthens bonds through time spent together.

More than just their intricate craftsmanship and beautiful costumes, Hina dolls are special beings that are filled with the love and wishes of the family.

Every year when Hinamatsuri is celebrated, deep emotions and joy of growth are born in the hearts of the whole family, and these feelings will be passed on to the next generation.