Friday 14 February 2014

HINA 2014

In less than a month's time Japanese households with girls will celebrate the Dolls' Festival, Hina Matsuri. Imperial dolls or other ornaments are displayed for about a month leading up to March 3rd.

Every year I make three new ornaments for my Hina doll mobile. You can read about this tradition and see the ornaments I have made in the past if you click here.

For 2014 I made a goldfish
a peach
and a ball
I would also recommend you to read the blog of my friend Tanya on this topic.

22 comments:

Annet said...

Nice ornaments, I think the goldfish is my favourite.

https://linsartyblobs.blogspot.com said...

What a marvellous idea. I love the goldfish.

Queeniepatch said...

There are two traditional designs for the goldfish and I have the other one already (bought it) so wanted to make this one. The kimono scrap is near perfect for the scales, don't you think?

Queeniepatch said...

Believe it or not but it was easier to make than the peach!

Pamela said...

I've seen the big displays in the stores, but I don't know who has room for displaying or storing all of it. I like the idea you have with the ornaments hanging much more. The goldfish fabric is perfect for a fish.

Queeniepatch said...

Believe me, the traditional display of dolls, and those for the Boys' Day 5/5, are 'shrinking'. Nowadays, many families who live in small, crammed apartments can only have small sets of dolls. Go visit a wealthy farmer where there are three or four generations living togheter and you might find SEVERAL complete sets of dolls!

Julie Fukuda said...

I remember the days when the hina dolls took up the better part of our small room. (well, with four daughters and antique dolls, we really had to go through the process.)
Tanya's post was really amazing. I can see the lure of something pretty that can be taken out and hung rather than spending hours setting up.

carorose said...

I do love these customs. I wish we had a girl's day.

margaret said...

these are lovely Queenie and just popped over to your link to see and admire all the other pieces you have made for the display. You have some great traditions in Japan and so good that they are still followed

prairie said...

I really like the hanging ornaments. I didn't know about this traditions until Tanya showed it. I'm glad to see your close-ups of the precious little things. A lovely art form. I am curious what the pattern for the goldfish looks like. In fact, can one find patterns for all the different objects online? I would like to see how they're done. Thanks so much for sharing. I admire your handwork very much.

City Krafters said...

Your ornaments are lovely think I like the peach best.

Queeniepatch said...

A GREAT attraction with these ornaments are that they are so easy to store - soft toys - just squeeze them into a box! Also I really enjoy making three new items every year.

Queeniepatch said...

With one daughter and two granddaugthers, why don't you MAKE a girl's day, pick a date you like and decorate the house with something 'girly' for a month before the main day.

Queeniepatch said...

This is a TRADITIONAL country where old customs are kept alive - and new ones formed, of course. I like the seasonal 'cornerstones' that remind you what season it is.

Queeniepatch said...

Hi, and thank you for visiting.
I get my patterns from a book, of which there are several (in Japanese).
I've been looking online for patterns of the goldfish and found these blog entries.They are in Japanese but by looking at the pictures I am sure you can understand:
http://71491212.at.webry.info/201201/article_3.html
http://71491212.at.webry.info/201201/article_4.html
http://71491212.at.webry.info/201201/article_5.html

Queeniepatch said...

Thank you, H
Believe it or not, it was the most complicated. Now it is easy, but boy did I have trouble getting the hang of it!

Tanya said...

Ooh! Great hina ornaments! I don't think I've ever seen the goldfish! No one is going to believe that a little ol' Japanese Obaachan didn't make those.

Queeniepatch said...

but I AM an ol' 'Japanese' Obaachan!
If you read my chapter on HINA you know that there are some areas where these ornaments were first made (long ago). One of them is Inatori onsen in Shizuoka. The 'goldfish' is actually a 'kinmedai', and Inatori kinmedai is supposedly the best in Japan. That is why this ornament is a must there. The red colour in ornaments removes evil and protects the child.

Anonymous said...

Lovely ornaments. I have just taken a look at all the other ones that you have made, the figure are very pretty. It must make life more interesting having all these wonderful traditions to take part in!

Queeniepatch said...

Life in Japan is never dull. I guess there is a festival of some sort somewhere for every day of the year. Children are much loved and all sorts of events mark different stages of their lives.
Every one of these ornaments has a meaning; the red in the gold fish is warding off evil and protects the child. The slippers is a wish that the child should soon start walking.

Stitching Lady said...

Oh, they are beautiful your ornaments for the HINA. So beautifully done. I love the little fish, but in fact all of them....

Queeniepatch said...

I usually make three new ornaments each year and it is important to make different types. The fish was not as complicated as the peach, believe it or not! It was enjoyable to add some embroidery stitches and the special knot on the ball.