Come March, Japanese families and business will display beautiful, often handcrafted dolls depicting an imperial court scene. What’s behind this tradition? Hina Matsuri, also often called Girl’s Day or Doll’s Day is celebrated on March 3rd and is one of the five seasonal festivals which are celebrated on auspicious days of the Chinese Calendar. It takes its name from the Hina-dolls (雛人形　Hinaningyo). These often handmade dolls are dressed in the fashion of the Heian period imperial court, displayed on a platform covered with red carpet. The dolls are usually handed down in the family and therefore, old and precious (read expensive). The central figurines are a sitting male and female doll (男雛 obina and 女雛 mebina respectively). They are symbolic for the royal bride and groom at a Heinan Period…