Hinamatsuri 2017 was good. Do you know the event? Doll’s Day is another name for it. Japan celebrates it on March 3. Families pray for their daughter’s health, prosperity, and happiness.
One of the things they do at home is to set up a group of Hina dolls. It’s a great cultural tradition. Photographers love it too.
What are Hina dolls?
Hina dolls are traditional Japanese ornamental dolls representing the Emperor, Empress, and their court. Some of the ones at Keio Plaza Hotel had special meanings:
- Turtles represented “long life”
- Crawling baby dolls signified “healthy growth”
- Silk balls (mari) were a wish for children to grow up “energetic and lovable”
To find out more about the dolls, look at [All about Japanese Hina Dolls on the Kyoto National Museum’s website].
Where could I photograph the dolls?
It’s a lowkey event, but many places throughout the country put on displays of the dolls. Katsuura in Chiba and Konosu in Saitama are two of the most famous near Tokyo. But they were far away.
I was near Shinjuku and had just finished a job interview with another later that afternoon. Where could I go?
Nishi-Shinjuku’s Keio Plaza Hotel was my target as I had heard it put on a good display. That was my destination.
Keio Plaza Hotel’s Hinamatsuri display
Luck was on my side. I walked into the hotel and saw their display was huge. The Emperor and Empress, their musicians, and the court held a prominent place in the lobby.
An enormous frame with thousands of Hinamatsuri dolls suspended from strings, surrounded the court. It was like a kaleidoscope of colors.
Many of the dolls were “Tsurushi Kazari” (hanging ornaments). There were about 5,000 of them, all hand-sewn ornaments using genuine silk antique kimono fabric.
My photography gear for this shoot
- Camera body: Pentax K-3
- Lens: SMC DA 18 – 135 mm f/3.5 – 5.6 ED AL (If) DC WR
Unfortunately, I didn’t have much time to see the entirety of the hotel’s Hinamatsuri in 2017. My next appointment was waiting for me. I’ll make time to do that in the future. Leave questions and comments below.
