By KAZUHIKO OKADA/ Staff Writer
February 24, 2022 at 07:30 JST
Hina Matsuri ornaments in various colors hang inside the Inatori Cultural Park Hina no Yakata hall, the main venue of the Hina no Tsurushi Kazari Matsuri festival, in the Inatori district of Higashi-Izu, Shizuoka Prefecture, on Jan. 19. (Kazuhiko Okada)
HIGASHI-IZU, Shizuoka Prefecture--Marking its 25th anniversary, the Hina no Tsurushi Kazari Matsuri festival here is welcoming visitors to its colorful displays of dolls and ornaments suspended from ceilings until March 31.
"Tsurushi" (hanging) ornaments from the Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival) are on display at the main venue of the Inatori Cultural Park Hina no Yakata hall in the city's Inatori district and four other locations.
There will also be an event to celebrate the festival's 25th anniversary.
The traditional decoration is touted as one of Japan’s three major tsurushi ornaments alongside "sagemon" in Yanagawa, Fukuoka Prefecture, and "kasafuku" in Sakata, Yamagata Prefecture.
During the festival, handmade lucky charms and dolls are hung by threads to pray for the health and happiness of young girls.
While the festival is thought to date to the Edo Period (1603-1867), there was a time when only some households observed the tradition.
It has taken hold as an annual event to entertain visitors to a hot spring area of Higashi-Izu.
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