Keio Plaza Hotel Hinamatsuri 2017

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. For the event, families display a set of Hina dolls. It’s a great cultural tradition. Photographers love it too.

Visiting the Keio Plaza Hotel display

As I’d never taken pictures of this event, I thought I better do so. But, on that particular day, I had a job interview, which limited my time. I was in a quandary. Where could I go with the time I had? As I was near Shinjuku, the Keio Plaza Hotel was the first place that popped into my mind. I had heard it put on a great display.

I Iucked out. The hotel had a huge display. The Emperor and Empress, their musicians, and the court held a prominent place in the lobby. Around them was an enormous frame with thousands of Hinamatsuri dolls suspended from strings. It was like a kaleidoscope of colors.

There weren’t the only characters from the Emperor’s court. Some were from the Chinese Zodiac and a few Japanese fairy tales. If you are interested in Girl’s Day dolls or dolls in general, you need to see them.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have much time to see the entirety of Hinamatsuri 2017. My next appointment was waiting for me. I wish I could have seen the other smaller displays in other areas of the hotel. Leave questions and comments below.

What are Hina dolls?

Read about them in detail on the Kyoto National Museum website. Shigeki Kawakami from the Department of Applied Arts has written a splendid article.

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