The Kurashiki Hina Meguri is an event where various hina dolls are displayed at facilities, shops, and galleries throughout Kurashiki City.
It has been held since 2004 and is exhibited in the following areas of Kurashiki City.
- Kurashiki
- Kojima
- Tamashima
- Mizushima
- Mabi and Funao
This is my first time participating in the Hina Meguri.
I heard that there are unique hina dolls made from bamboo, so I headed to the venue in the Mabi area.
What is the Mabi Funao Hina Meguri?
The Mabi Funao Hina Meguri is being held from February 22 to March 9, 2025.
With the theme of "A Town Connected by Hina Dolls and Sweet Peas", hina dolls are displayed at four locations: two in Mabi and two in Funao.
The venues I visited in the Mabi area are the Mabi Community Center and Yokomizo Seishi's Evacuation House.
Mabi Community Center
First, I headed to the Mabi Community Center.
About Mabi Community Center
Mabi Community Center is the largest public facility in Mabi Town.
It has two halls, exhibition rooms, and meeting rooms, and various events are held there.
The exterior of the building is said to be inspired by the "Kantōshi ship" that Kibi no Makibi, a figure associated with Mabi, used when traveling to Tang China.
Mabi Community Center was damaged in the July 2018 heavy rain disaster. The first floor was submerged, but after restoration work, it reopened in June 2021.
The Hina Meguri exhibition resumed in 2023, five years after the July 2018 heavy rain disaster.
Exhibits at Mabi Community Center
Upon entering the venue, hina dolls are lined up in the lobby, as if welcoming visitors.
Among them, the most eye-catching is the "Bamboo Hina" created by local bamboo craftsman Sanagi Nozomi.
Due to the flooding caused by the July 2018 heavy rain disaster, the previously made hina dolls were submerged, so it seems that this was newly created as the second generation of hina dolls, taking about one year to complete. All the props and decorations are also made of bamboo, and I was captivated by the intricate craftsmanship.
The Bamboo Hina embodies the hope for recovery for Mabi Town, known as a town of bamboo.
Additionally, there were hina decorations made by preschool children from Mabi Town displayed in the venue.
Each one has a different expression, showcasing a variety of unique hina decorations.
Imagining the effort they put into making each one brings a smile to my face.
Yokomizo Seishi's Evacuation House
Next, I visited Yokomizo Seishi's Evacuation House located in the Okada area of Mabi Town.
About Yokomizo Seishi's Evacuation House
Yokomizo Seishi's Evacuation House is the home where the writer Yokomizo Seishi lived with his family during his evacuation over 70 years ago. The building has been preserved in its original state.
During his evacuation here, the Kindaichi Kousuke series, featuring the character Kindaichi Kousuke, was published.
In Mabi Town, a walking course named "Kindaichi Kousuke's Path" has been established, which takes you through the highlights around the evacuation house, starting from Kiyone Station and leading to Kawabe-juku Station.
Along the way, there are six character statues of characters from the Kindaichi Kousuke series, allowing visitors to enjoy the world of Kindaichi Kousuke.
Since 2021, Yokomizo Seishi's Evacuation House has been a venue for the Mabi Funao Hina Meguri.
It seems that many voices from both inside and outside the area called for the event to be held during the period when the Mabi Community Center, which had been the venue in previous years, was unavailable due to the July 2018 heavy rain disaster.
In an effort to resume the event, local volunteers decided to hold it at Yokomizo Seishi's Evacuation House.
Exhibits at Yokomizo Seishi's Evacuation House
Upon entering the venue, many hina dolls were displayed inside the house.
At Yokomizo Seishi's Evacuation House, there is also a hina decoration made of bamboo called "Bamboo Boat Hina".
The hina dolls decorated with bamboo look just like Princess Kaguya. They have a cuteness that is different from the hina dolls we usually see.
Additionally, there are hanging hina decorations inside the room, adding color to the space.
These are called "Hanging Hina", and it seems that local residents make them by hand.
Hanging Hina is said to have originated in the Edo period when hina decorations were expensive and luxurious. It is said to have started as a way for those who could not afford hina decorations to create something to wish for their children's happiness.
Additionally, Hanging Hina comes in various shapes, including animals, flowers, clothing, and vegetables, and there is even a decoration shaped like bamboo shoots, a specialty of Mabi.
Each decoration has a different meaning, and the bamboo shoot symbolizes the wish for a life lived straight and without straying off the path.
Under the eaves, peach hanging decorations are beautifully arranged.
Since both the leaves and seeds of the peach have medicinal properties, the peach hanging decorations are said to carry the wish, "May they drive away evil spirits and grant longevity."
Even during the Hina Festival period, the silhouette of Kindaichi Kosuke remains, allowing visitors to enjoy the Hina decorations along with the atmosphere of the novel.
On the way back, there was also a serving of sweet sake, leaving us with warm feelings as we left the venue.
Conclusion
During the Mabi Funao Hina Festival, we were able to see unique Hina decorations from the Mabi area, including bamboo Hina dolls and hanging Hina. Normally, there aren't many opportunities to closely observe Hina dolls, but during the festival, you can see many Hina dolls up close at once.
Upon closer inspection, each Hina doll has different costumes and expressions, allowing you to feel the delicate craftsmanship of the creators.
Be sure to visit the venue and look for your favorite Hina doll.
Data for the 17th Mabi Funao Hina Festival
| Name | 17th Mabi Funao Hina Festival |
|---|---|
| Dates | Mabi Community Center: February 22, 2025 (Saturday) to March 7, 2025 (Sunday) Yokomizo Masashi's Evacuation House: February 22, 2025 (Saturday) to March 9, 2025 (Sunday) |
| Location | Mabi Community Center |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | Free admission |
| Website | 22nd Kurashiki Hina Festival - Mabi Funao Area |
