Doll

Japanese families typically display Hina-ningyo doll sets such as this one as part of the celebration of the Girl's Day Festival, which occurs annually on the third day of the third month. On this holiday, families celebrate their young daughters and pray for their health, well-being, and future prosperity. This traditional doll set depicts the imperial couple and its household, always displayed on a tiered stand of several levels and covered in red cloth. The imperial couple reign on the highest level; thirteen members of the court occupy the lower levels including three ladies-in-waiting, five musicians, two ministers, and three pages. The display also includes decorative accessories such as screens, carts and lacquered wood stands. Although the Hina-ningyo set in this photograph includes all the dolls of a traditional display, they are not arranged on the red-draped tiered stand.