BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhuanet) -- Mothers and daughters in Japan are celebrating Hina Matsuri, or Girl's Day. Each year, it becomes an important rite of passage marked by the women of the family with special dolls.
The festival is held annually on March 3. In the weeks leading up to the date, it is customary for parents with daughters to set up a special Hina doll display.
Parents believe that the dolls will protect their girls from evil spirits and that the dolls will absorb rather than repel these dark forces that may endanger their daughters.
A special event at Tokyo's Sumida attracts about a thousand people every year. Japanese businesses also like to join in the celebrations with their own displays. Some have built up special collections of dolls.
At LegoLand's Hina Matsuri-inspired display in Tokyo, children can come and make their own Lego versions of Hina dolls to go on a specially-made Lego design.
And the continuing popularity of this tradition means shops such as Marugin continue to prosper. Parents of girls born around the end of February rush to the store because they want to be fully-prepared for their daughter's first Hina Matsuri.
(Source: CNTV)
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