HinamatsuriorHina Matsuri (雛祭 , in kana: 雛まつり) is the Doll FestivalinJapan. On 3rd of March, people display dolls (人形; ningyō) dressed in old-style kimonos.
It is a celebration especially for girls. Formerly people believed the dolls possess the power to conceal bad spirits in their bodies and will save the owner from dangerous encounters.
The origin of hinamatsuriishinanagashi where paper dolls are put into a boat and sent on a journey down a river, taking with them the bad spirits.
The customary drink for the festival is amazake, a sweet beverage made from fermented riceorsake lees.