Stylish May Dolls

What is the first festival?

Hatsuzekku refers to the first seasonal festival celebration that a baby undergoes after being born .

For boys, the first festival is Children's Day on May 5th, and for girls, it is Girls' Day on March 3rd.

On a girl's first festival, Hina dolls are displayed and family and relatives gather together for a celebratory meal.

This is an important event that expresses the wish that children will grow up healthy and happy.

The Boys' Festival (Iris Festival) is one of Japan's five seasonal festivals, and is a traditional event held every year on May 5th to pray for the healthy growth and health of boys.

It is also called the Iris Festival because the leaves and roots of the iris were used as medicinal herbs to ward off evil spirits and prevent illness. In addition, because the sound of the flower sounds similar to "shobu" (respect for martial arts), in samurai culture it also came to have a stronger meaning of wishing for bravery and success in life.

The reason for displaying May dolls is to pray for boys to grow up healthy and protected from misfortunes such as illness and accidents. The armor and helmets are symbols of protection.
In addition, by celebrating seasonal turning points, such as festivals, with the family, it is also important to pass on the traditions and culture of festivals to children. Carp streamers are also displayed with wishes such as "success in life."

Traditionally, Hina dolls have been given as gifts by maternal grandparents .

This custom is said to have originated from the custom of giving gifts to the bride's new family as a consideration to avoid causing trouble to the bride's family, and as a wish for the healthy growth of the grandchild from the mother's family.
However, nowadays, it is more common for families to discuss and decide on the gift together , rather than sticking to old customs. Sometimes both families will buy the gift in half.

What's more important than who buys it is the desire to make the child happy .

As always, May dolls are received as gifts from grandparents and parents, and are treasured and displayed as "children's once-in-a-lifetime talismans."

There are no strict rules about when to start decorating, but generally people start decorating after the vernal equinox, around the end of March to mid-April. If it's too late, it's called "one-night decorations" and is considered bad luck.

There is no set rule about when to take them down, but since they are seasonal decorations and to avoid humidity, it is best to choose a nice day in May to take them down.

Originally, the traditional idea was to prepare a May doll for each child, as each one has its own significance in celebrating their name and growth.

However, many families are limited by space and budget and choose a doll that can be shared by siblings. Either way, it's important to respect the child's feelings and the family situation when making a selection.

Outdoor decorations (such as carp streamers) and indoor decorations (such as helmet decorations and armor decorations) each have different meanings and atmospheres. Outdoor decorations, such as carp streamers fluttering in the wind outside the house, create a visible sense of celebration. Indoor decorations create an atmosphere where the festival is quietly celebrated indoors.

However, there is no rule that both are necessary. Depending on your living environment, the space you have, and your budget, you can choose one or the other, and it's a good idea to decorate in a way that suits your parents' and family's style.