Nagashibina (Flowing Dolls) - Nagashibina

Japanese: 流しびな(流し雛) - ながしびな

An event held on March 3rd in which dolls are sent down the river. The dolls used in the Hinamatsuri festival are said to be descended from talismanic objects called hitogata (katashiro), which are rubbed to purify the dolls and then let go, and the Nagashibina dolls that remain in various places today are thought to be an event that conveys such ancient spirit. In Tottori Prefecture, most Nagashibina dolls are displayed on a doll stand, with one pair offered to the Shinto altar, and the other placed on a straw bale and let go in the evening. In Shiraiwa, Minamisaku District, Nagano Prefecture, a custom called "kanambare" is practiced, in which children cook food on the riverbank, offer it to the dolls, and after everyone has eaten it, the old dolls are placed on a straw bale and let go.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

3月3日に雛人形を川に流し送る行事。雛祭の人形は，それで身をなでて穢れをはらったあと流し去る人形（ひとがた）(形代（かたしろ）)という呪具の系統をひくものとされるが，現在の各地に残る流し雛はそのような古い心意を伝える行事と思われる。鳥取県の流し雛の多くは，雛壇に飾った2組の雛のうち1組を神棚に供え，残りを夕方に桟俵（さんだわら）にのせて流すものであり，長野県南佐久郡白岩では〈カナンバレ〉といって，子どもが河原で煮炊きして雛にも供え皆でも食べたあと，古雛を桟俵にのせて流し去る。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

<<: Nakashibetsu [town] - Nakashibetsu

>>: Battle of Nagashino