Hinamatsuri (雛祭) !!

[RockLee]

Hinamatsuri(雛祭) or girls' (dolls') festival, it's coming up next week (March 3rd)
http://elearning.stut.edu.tw/japanese/culture/nencyuu/yayoi/images/newyear25.jpg

It is said that if the dolls aren't put away before (I think?) march 15th, the daughter won't be able to marry ^^

[yuriandre]

That's weird but traditions are traditions. They may not do harm if you will follow them anway. But its cute how Japanese create dolls. :) I just love them.

[Rayc]

I have a doll that is called "Hakata doll".

Can anyone explain what is so special about it?

[Hiroyuki Nagashima]

Because there is not explanation of a Hakata doll, I introduce a homepage of a Hakata doll.
http://web-japan.org/atlas/crafts/cra24.html

Some Hakata dolls
Beautifl dolls
http://www.shogetudo.jp/bijin/index.html

Non dolls
http://www.shogetudo.jp/nou/index.html

Dolls warrior
http://www.shogetudo.jp/busha/index.html

Children's dolls
http://www.shogetudo.jp/wappa/index.html

Dolls of four-seasons
http://www.shogetudo.jp/kisetsu/index.html

[Hiroyuki Nagashima]

It is the homepage where there is simple explanation of the Doll's Festival.
http://www.tctv.ne.jp/members/sawanoya/hinamaturi.html
Detailed contents(Only Japanese)
http://www.uekusa.ac.jp/CLC/t-inoue/hinamaturi.htm

HINAMATURI = MOMONO SETTUKU
In HINAMATURI, I eat HINA ARARE.
http://www.rakuten.co.jp/akebono/407826/605039/

[TwistedMac]

those kurodabushi dolls are awesome! (warrior dolls section)

[Hiroyuki Nagashima]

those kurodabushi dolls are awesome! (warrior dolls section)
Thank you TwistedMac :bluush:
There is a bronze statue of KURODABUSHI in front of Hakata Station of Fukuoka-shi. :-)

A model of KURODA BUSHI is MoriTahei.
The Japanese SENGOKU times
Masanori Fukushima and Kuroda Nagamasa which were a brave general, close friends.
Nagamasa dispatched Mori Tahei to Hiroshima as an errand to Masanori once.
Nagamasa knew the badness of a mood when drunk of Masanori
Nagamasa ordered MoriTahei to "never drink liquor even if recommended" tightly beforehand.
Masanori and Tahei became a feast.
Masanori got drunk completely as expected, and Masanori cursed.
I keep instructions of Nagamasa, and MoriTahei does not swallow up liquor.
Masanori is going to serve MoriTahei liquor by some means or other.
Masanori said in this way at last.
"Is a samurai of Kuroda a coward?"
"If it is different, drink up liquor with a certain big container there."
"If it is possible, let's grant your wish."
MoriTahei is unbearable to having been considered to be moss.
MoriTahei stood up.
"Then I wish for the spear"
The spear was excellent spear "hinomotogou" granted by rarity of pride of Masanori, Hideyoshi.
MoriTahei drank up three cups in the sake pot which there were a diameter of 30 centimeters.
MoriTahei obtained HINOMOTOGOU and returned to Fukuoka leisurely.
Masanori calmed down after liquor cooled down
Masanori became pale for one's mistake.
Masanori asked for return of a spear.
MoriTahei does not have an ear to hear.
Since this, Mori Tahei was loved as a symbol of Hakata samurai widely by the people and became design of a Hakata doll at last.

There is an old song of KURODABUSHI. :blush:
http://bungito.hp.infoseek.co.jp/KurodaBushi.htm

[Malaika]

awww kawaii!

those pictures of the different types of dolls are REALLY nice! I'm so jealous, I wish I could have one.

but yes girls day is on march 3rd. *giggles*