Hinamatsuri 2015 : 02

A friend took us to visit her local temple, Sennen-ji 「専念寺」 in Honyabakei 「大分県中津市本耶馬渓」, which boasts a 450 year history. They have a huge display of dolls for Hinamatsuri 「ひなまつり」 "Girl's Day" or "Doll's Day."

This doll is my favorite, she looks so regal. Her hair is done in such flowing cascades and her crown is not as garish as many of them are. Plus, the outfit is very similar to what many priestesses still wear for ceremonies at shrines.

These are only a small sampling of the hundreds of dolls on display. It may seem creepy, but really, it's quite beautiful. Also, we got tea service and sweets because rural Japan is wonderful like that. Also got to try a kind of pre-sake, like before something becomes nihonshu/sake with it's fermentation, it's this almost thick semi-rice consistency drink that is very sweet. If you've ever had cloudy sake before, it's like the stuff that's floating in it, only not alcoholic and still has rice in it. Then, in the fall, it'll be temple sake after it's finished fermenting!

Just a little upset about the noise in the photos, but the temples are very dark inside. I am happy with how this new camera does handle the very low light, however - my old one would have never looked even remotely presentable at 3200 ISO. Plus, how good the incense smells makes up for the darkness and everything :3

Tumblr : Instagram : Flickr

February 21, 2015
Yabakei, Nakatsu, Japan
耶馬溪　　 中津市　　 日本