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Cultural Talk: Hina Dolls by Tsuru Tuenge

The doll display that is put up for Hina Matsuri.
The top tier of a hina doll display features the Emperor and the Empress while the following tiers hold their imperial attendants. Photo by Jonathan Ley

Leading up to our Doll’s Day Festival on March 2, come hear Tsuru Tuenge talk about hina dolls and Hina Matsuri from 1:15-2:15pm in the Jordan Schnitzer Japanese Arts Learning Center. This talk will take place near a traditional display of hina dolls, featuring a seven-tiered display representing the Emperor and Empress with members of the Imperial Court.

Hina Matsuri, also called Doll’s Day or Girl’s Day, is celebrated each year in Japan on March 3 to celebrate the happiness, growth, and good health of girls. In Japan, families with daughters mark the festival by displaying intricately crafted hina dolls dressed in ornate costumes several days before the festival.

Hina dolls are displayed on a tiered platform (hina dan) covered with a red carpet (dankake). The top tier holds the two imperial dolls. The Emperor holds a ritual baton and the Empress a fan. The following tiers hold their attendants: the second tier holds three court ladies (san-nin kanjo). Each lady holds ceremonial sake equipment. The third tier holds five court musicians (gonin bayashi) each holding a musical instrument, except the singer who holds a fan. The fourth tier holds two ministers (udaijin and sadaijin), the one on the right (Minister of the Left) being older and higher ranking. The three court attendees (sannin jogo) on the fifth tier each show angry, merry, and sad faces.

About the Speaker

a female garden volunteer and a female staff member wear white gloves to set out Japanese dolls on a long table
Tsuru Tuenge, volunteer (right) assists Kelsey Cleveland, Cultural Programs Manager, in unboxing hina dolls for the Garden’s celebration of Hina Matsuri (Doll’s Day) in 2023. Photo by Portland Japanese Garden.

Tsuru Tuenge, who grew up in the ancient capital of Nara, is one of Portland Japanese Garden’s beloved volunteers and is passionate about sharing Japanese culture with visitors. Since 2017, she has devoted 1,000 hours to the organization leading tours, monitoring Garden grounds, being a docent on its Ellie M. Hill Bonsai Terrace and helping prepare and support its cultural events. Over the past several years, Tuenge has developed a special connection to Portland Japanese Garden’s Hina Doll display by helping to set up and take down the display.

Hina Matsuri Events

Portland Japanese Garden is celebrating Hina Matsuri throughout late February and early March! Make sure you plan your visit today so you can attend these specially themed events.

About HINA MATSURI

Hina Matsuri is said to have originated in the Heian period (794-1185), a time when people believed that dolls had the power to drive away evil spirits. Paper or straw hina dolls were set afloat on boats down the river and out to sea, sweeping away troubles and bad spirits. This tradition, called nagashi bina, still takes place in some regions in Japan.

The tradition of displaying hina dolls at home began during the Edo period (1603-1868) and still takes place today. Traditionally, parents or grandparents purchase a set of hina dolls following the birth of a girl. In some instances, the dolls are passed down from previous generations. 

Dolls on display in Portland Japanese Garden to celebrate Hina Matsuri, or Doll's Day.
The five court musicians. Photo by Jonathan Ley

WHERE IS THIS EVENT HAPPENING?

Jordan Schnitzer Japanese Arts Learning Center

The Jordan Schnitzer Japanese Arts Learning Center was designed to be the cultural, educational, and architectural hub of the new Cultural Village. “With a new classroom, library, and performance space, the Learning Center provides an open and welcoming space where visitors can learn more about the culture that gave us the Japanese garden art form,”