Translation guide
Hinamatsuri is the Japanese Doll Festival or Girls' Day, celebrated on March 3rd. Families with daughters display ornamental dolls representing the imperial court to pray for the girls' health and happiness.
Referring to the holiday or event
The standard Japanese term for the Doll Festival. Often written in hiragana or kanji (雛祭り).
March 3rd is Hinamatsuri.
We eat chirashizushi on Hinamatsuri.
Kanji form of Hinamatsuri, often used in formal or written contexts.
The origin of Hinamatsuri dates back to the Heian period.
Literally 'Peach Festival', one of the five seasonal festivals. Refers specifically to the March 3rd celebration.
We display hina dolls for the Peach Festival.
Referring to the ornamental dolls
The dolls displayed for Hinamatsuri. Often a set including the emperor and empress.
I received hina dolls from my grandmother.
A polite, affectionate term for the dolls, especially the main emperor and empress dolls.
Displaying the hina dolls is fun.
Referring to the tiered stand for the dolls
The tiered platform covered with a red cloth where the dolls are arranged.
We arrange the dolls on the tiered stand.
Hinamatsuri is not a national holiday but is widely celebrated in homes with daughters. Traditional foods include chirashizushi, hina-arare (rice crackers), and shirozake (sweet white sake).
Hinamatsuri is specifically on March 3rd. It is different from Children's Day (こどもの日) on May 5th, which is mainly for boys.
It is said that if you put away the hina dolls late, marriage will be delayed.