Memorial service for Dolls held in Hokyoji Temple

Talking about the doll associated festival, Hina-matsuri or Girls' Festival observed on March 3 is well known traditional Japanese event. Each family displays a set of Hina dolls and prays for the healthy development of their girls. But few knows about the doll memorial service and its significance. Every October 14, memorial service for Dolls is held in Hokyoji Temple so I guides my guest there to explain about our traditional culture. There were already a lot of people when we arrived at the temple. Last year I took some photos at the front line so I gave the good view point to my guest. Following is the photos I took last year.

Tayu high ranked geisha attends the memorial service and offer the traditional performing arts. This year also a lot of dolls were gathered there. Among them was stuffed animal such as Pooh. My guest's family has daughters and they cherished stuffed animal but American doesn't have custom to hold memorial service for dolls. The difference comes from Japanese believing that all bad things such as illness and evil spirits will be transferred to them by touching the dolls. So the memorial service is to appreciate dolls at the end. After visiting Hokyoji Temple, we went to Imperial palace and took some photos in front of Shishinden where the most important ceremonies held. You can see a cherry tree and a citrus tree there and it is typical arrangement in front of the Imperial Thrones for the Emperor and the Empress. These two trees are displayed in the hina doll set because it is something like miniature of imperial court.