A Mother and her Daughter

This photographs shows a mother and her daughter celebrating the Festival of Peach Blossoms in Japan by preparing a display of Hina dolls. I would like to dedicate this photograph to my own mother, who introduced me to the world of magic embodied in the love of dolls.

Happy Mother's Day!

Hina-matsuri or Festival of Peach Blossoms

Any one aware of my life-long love of dolls probably would be surprised that I chose to write about the Martisor traditions before posting any information about the Japanese Hina-matsuri Festival of Dolls.

In Japan, on the 3rd of March, the Festival of Peach Blossoms or 'Girls' Festival' is celebrated. Originally a Shinto festival, it has become a secular tradition in Japan. 'Hina' dolls dressed in the costumes of the ancient rulers of Japan are displayed on a dais covered with red carpet from the end of February until the 3rd of March. 'Tea parties' are held with special food ostensibly prepared for the dolls but consumed by the young girls. Peach blossoms, special sweet rice cakes and
white wine are the traditional offerings placed before the hina dolls.

In some places, there are ceremonies wherein dolls are placed in boats and set adrift on the water. Through this act, illness and bad fortune was assumed by the dolls rather than the owners. In another variation of this ancient form of magic, the dolls were burned.

Dolls made of paper, using the origami technique often are placed in tiny boats that are set afloat. The Japanese Harvest Moon game, Magical Melody, includes a festival called the Star Festival that probably was based on Hina-matsuri. At the Star Festival, wishes are placed in boats that are set afloat on the river.

The most ancient form of the festival probably was similar to the European festivals at the beginning of March, wherein people bade farewell to the old year or Winter by burning a figure, throwing it in the river or driving it from the village.

It originally was the custom for men, women and children alike to make dolls from paper, transferring their illness, pain and misfortune to the dolls, then casting them into the nearest river or stream.

Even now, at Awashima Shrine on the 3rd of March, the 'Momo no Sekku' or Peach Blossom Festival is celebrated by placing hina dolls into a small boat and sending the dolls off to sea from the Kada shore. Through this act, they are cleansed of 'kegare' (defilement) and 'byoma' (evil disease). On the 8th of February each year, a similar service is held at the same shrine for unwanted sewing needles.

Later in the Edo period, the custom of displaying hina dolls dressed as an ancient emperor, empress and their entourage supplanted the older custom in most places. The traditional number of dolls displayed on the dais is 15. The Dairi-sama, representing the Emperor and Empress traditionally are attended by two ministers, three court ladies (kanjo) and five court musicians. The display can be created at the end of February but should not be kept after 3 March. Showing respect and homage to the ancestors is a Shinto tradition and one of the foundations of the religion.

The Hina-matsuri Festival is the day on which parents demonstrate their hopes for the future of their daughters. It is said that if one leaves the dolls on display after 3 March, the future marriage of the girl will be delayed; thus, the festival is one of making wishes for a happy marriage for every girl.

During the period before the Second World War, the Hina-matsuri Festival was a day on which girls were allowed to have their own party, inviting their friends for a 'tea party' with their dolls. Instead of tea, however, they were allowed to drink a mild sweet rice wine called shiro-zake.

The traditional diamond-shaped cake prepared for the Festival is called hishi mochi or sakura mochi. It is a rice cake filled with sweet bean paste. It is interesting to note that beans always have been part of ancient New Year celebrations in the month of March. The bean symbolises a link between this world and the next, and often was included in funerary offerings throughout the ancient world. The old folktale of 'Jack and the Beanstalk' originally was a story about a 'ladder to heaven', a means by which a shaman could reach the Other realm.

Food offerings for Hina-matsuri often are coloured red. The sweet beans used in the hishi moshi are red, in fact. Red is an auspicious colour for the New Year in every culture.

Although it is known as the 'Peach Blossom Festival', peach trees do not flower this early in the year. Like the Martisor, therefore, this festival anticipates the Spring and is a declaration of hope in the future.

Dollhouses always have appealed to people, but they originally had a religious significance. The ancient Egyptians included entire cities in miniature in their tombs, believing that the scenes depicted would become real in the afterlife. The ancient Romans had their household gods, and sometimes these would be displayed much like the hina dolls in Japan. When I visited Thailand as a child, I was entranced by the beautiful 'spirit houses' that could be seen outside every temple and many private homes as well. What is considered child's play in contemporary Western society has deep roots in universal spiritual traditions. The idea that one can maintain an unbroken and even powerful connection to the past through remembrance of ancestors or heroes is very appealing. Some 'monotheistic' religions are extremely hostile to the concept of 'idols', but representations of gods, saints, heroes and ancestors are focal points for spiritual power and that power is not intrinsically negative nor is it 'evil' in any sense. In any event, it would be a very small, very insecure 'god' who would be threatened by a statue or doll! I always felt that the old Hebrew prohibition against 'idols' was absurd and could have nothing to do with any true directive from a real God.

My mother once confessed to me that she could find peace and relief from anxiety in the simple act of cleaning the dollhouse. It is absolutely true. Entering into a miniature world that can be brought into order and perfection in a relatively brief period of time can be a form of spiritual meditation. Coupled with aesthetic appreciation is a sense of control and completion. When our real lives often are messy, our ambitions unfulfilled or at least incomplete, concentration on a microcosm like a dollhouse can be very therapeutic. I believe that the 'zen rock garden' provides a similar outlet for people.

Even if divorced from any spiritual significance, the hina dolls are considered heirlooms, to be passed from mother to daughter, from generation to generation. In this fashion, the heritage of Japan is preserved.

The Nature of the Divine

Perhaps I am too fanciful, but I always have believed that one should value the unseen world as much as the seen, and I do feel that there is in truth less of a distinction between the 'animate' and the 'inanimate' than is accepted in Western society.

Proponents of 'New Age' philosophy believe in the power of stones, but the idea that every object has a personality or soul is an ancient one. The ancient Goddess Cybele manifested herself in the form of a black stone (probably a meteorite). The idea that trees, stones and wells have potent and quite individual powers was fairly widespread in the ancient world. Why should dolls and toys be exempt?

A more important discussion might be centred upon the very existence of God. Monotheists tend to consider their religion to be superior to that of polytheists. 'Scientific spiritualists' tend to believe that they have found a path that is more enlightened than that of the monotheists. I for one believe that God cannot be defined in human terms as the nature of the Divine is infinite. One can attempt a definition, and indeed religion MUST be personal if it is to have any value to a human being, but why should one person's definition be considered superior to that of another?

The individual who worships at a sacred well, acknowledging the power of Nature and the connection between all living things simply has a different way of perceiving God than the person who avers that God cannot be found in any physical form. Interestingly enough, most polytheistic religions do believe that there is a Divine entity above and beyond all the lesser gods who act as examples, intermediaries and as entertainment for humankind. The entire discussion between Muslims and Christians as to whether Jesus Christ could or could not be the 'son of God' really is moot when both perceive him as an example of a prophet, saint or hero. The Nicean Creed states that Christ was 'born, not created' but surely all have their beginnings at the same fountain of life. God is in all of us, but cannot be limited to or by any of us.

Many of the 'monotheistic' religions make a terrible fuss about 'idols' or symbols that represent the Divine. This is absurd really, as anything that reminds one of the Divine should be perceived only as an aid to achieving 'nearness to God'.

If the power of the Divine is infinite, what is to prevent Him/Her/It from manifestation in a finite form? That finite form would not encompass the nature of the Infinite but would act simply as a temporary, partial conduit for it. Who has the right to dictate that the Divine could assume a human form but not the form of another living creature or even that of an 'inanimate object'? If any human being seeks to dictate the nature of the Divine to others, then he/she is guilty of usurping a right that belongs to the Divine alone, as only the Divine would be able to comprehend the Infinite.

Religions, myths, fables and fairy tales all derive from a common foundation. They are teaching aids as well as a repository of cultural identity, human aspiration and dreams.

In similar fashion, magic and science possess a common foundation. Both are disciplines that attempt to define and use the principles that rule our planet. As is often the case, close relations produce jealousy and enmity. Science proclaims itself 'logical' and denounces magic as 'ignorant'. Yet they are cousins who work towards the same aims.

In any case, perception always is subjective and individual. Any lawyer or reporter knows that a dozen witnesses to a single event will have different recollections and perceptions of that event. How much more diverse would be human perceptions of the Divine?

No human being can claim to KNOW God. Every human being has the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the Divine. The common threads that unite all religions and spiritual philosophies probably are the closest 'universal truths' with respect to the Divine.

I do believe that human nature is created with a natural instinct to aspire to something better. I do believe, however, that one should not view the human species as a superior group that is set apart from the rest of creation. We have the power to learn and therefore should be willing to open our hearts, minds and spirits to all of creation. We do not have all the answers. Perhaps it is natural for us to try to collect ALL the answers, but that is an impossible task for any human being. That, at the end of the day, is the real difference between humankind and the Divine.

I cannot comprehend why the insecurity of human beings drives them to dispute about the nature of the Divine. Why can we not recognise our limitations rather than seeking to veil them with false certainties?
True security would be achieved if only we were to acknowledge the fact that we exist as lesser luminaries in an infinite sky. I think that realisation lies at the heart of the concept of 'Nirvana' actually. It is only when we are willing to surrender any false aspirations towards universal control that we can realise true peace and become one with the Universe.

A Mother's Day...

People often discuss the raison d'etre of blogs and the motivations of those who create and sustain them. I do not think that today is Mother's Day in any culture, but it is my own Mother's birthday. What prompts me to wish her a very happy Birthday on an internet site she probably never will see? Who knows? I will speak to her by telephone later to convey my wishes to her directly in any case, provided I am able to reach her. She is almost insanely busy at all times and I seldom am able to gain access to her. I shan't make a moral judgement on the life of some one who is available always to society but not to family members, but I will say that it is one reason I never wished to become involved in 'public life'. I feel that such a role takes a person hostage, that privacy is flung out the window along with many of the ordinary pleasures and priorities of ordinary individuals. What is even more peculiar is the fact that many of those who devote their lives to 'society' are not even known or recognised beyond their tiny frames of reference. Nonetheless, small ponds are often densely populated with large fish vying for supremacy or at any rate, attention.

Our parents obviously do influence us for better or worse. One of the reasons that I value solitude so highly is the fact that I seldom enjoyed it as a child. Our house was filled with people almost constantly and the loud voices of intoxicated academics was a poor substitute for a lullaby. On the positive side, I did meet some individuals who were brilliant as well as famous and I was required to perform in circles usually unknown to young children and adolescents. Nonetheless...

To my mother, however, I owe the gift of life itself. To my mother, I probably owe my appreciation of art and all that is exquisite. To my mother, I owe my personal acquaintance with the magic of holidays and festivals. Although, oddly enough, she always scorned 'fantasy' in the realm of literature, she was able to create fantasies on holidays and to make us believe in magic.

I remember an incident a few years ago on New Year's Day actually. A little girl and her brother were at a family affair that I attended and the little girl was bored. I suggested that she have a tea party. She protested that she didn't have any toys with her and certainly no tea set. I told her she could pretend and was appalled and saddened to discover that this child never had experienced any forays into the realm of the imagination.

All children have the capacity to 'make-believe' and this little girl was no exception. I was able to create a little world for her and her brother within the space of a few minutes and she was more excited by her tea party than she would have been with another new toy.

One would think that children would possess this power naturally and would need no prompting by an adult. Apparently not. My mother was fond of speaking of 'opening a door' when she spoke of a new opportunity or possibility. 'I always tried to open doors for my children' she would (and still does) declare. One of those doors that a parent should open for his/her child is the door to the world of the imagination. Once opened, the child can populate that world without any aid, but perhaps he/she needs to be shown that the door exists.

I worked briefly on Saturdays in a local doll shop and was rather shocked by the horrible tales of destruction and mayhem that mothers, aunts and grandmothers would relate to me. They would speak of their offsprings' cruelty towards dolls and stuffed toys as if relating tales from the Inquisition or the Reign of Terror. They never perceived their own responsibility at all! A child is not born careful, nor is a child born merciful. Children need to be taught compassion and care.

When a child drops her favourite doll or toy, she should feel empathy with it. A child who is taught to feel compassion may say: 'Oh Baby, are you hurt?' Treat the symbol of a child or animal with care and compassion and you will treat the real child or animal with compassion as well. When a child is taught by adults that 'it's only a toy', that child is denied the valuable gift of empathy.

The disease of contemporary consumerism and greed is apparent in the way in which children view their possessions. When I heard of children selling their toys and dolls for a profit and bragging of their cleverness in transforming a sentimental object into hard cash, I was filled with dismay and sorrow for the generation of the future. I worked at the doll shop at the height of the 'collectable' fever that raged throughout the West, and parents would buy dolls and toys for their children, then deny them access to them. 'Oh no, you mustn't EVER take it out of the box!' A beautiful doll would remain imprisoned behind plastic, forever unapproachable, without any opportunity to establish any relationship with its owner. No wonder children viewed their toys and dolls as commodities rather than best friends and companions.

Now, of course, reality takes its revenge on these 'collectors' who are presented with wardrobes stuffed with dolls and toys (NRFB: Never Removed From Box) that take up far too much space and yet have not reached their supposed full value as 'collectables'. As they have no sentimental value either, these poor creatures are condemned to eternal darkness... Did these 'collectors' not realise that, by consigning these items to a future sale, they would be forced to compete with every other 'collector' who had done the same. All those hundreds of people who queued up for the 'Holiday Barbie' year after year, to buy not one but five or six of the dolls, now will be forced to dispose of them somehow...

I much rather would have one doll or toy who experienced childhood with me, even if she had lost some of her original 'mint' condition.

A clever woman wrote a book entitled 'Barbie Forever' in which she made a comparison between Barbie dolls and the prehistoric goddess figurines. I do believe that we demonstrate our nature in the manner in which we treat our possessions and icons. Dolls and toys that are purchased simply for future monetary value and consigned to a dark wardrobe are not loved and have no connection whatsoever with existence.

A doll or toy who is loved and cherished becomes a friend or companion, the repository of confidences and secrets, a comforter in times of sorrow or pain. The doll or object that is set on a shelf to be admired has a relationship with its owner as well. It is akin to the idol or votive figure set in a niche in the wall. It becomes a sort of god of the hearth, a symbol of the home and the spirit of its occupants. As the years pass, it serves as a repository of memories, a touchstone to the past. The object that is set in a safe or wardrobe, never even to be seen again until it is taken out for disposal is NOTHING.

My mother gave me my love of dolls and my love of toys. When I went to work in the dollshop on Saturdays, I had an extraordinary experience. Dolls were displayed in cases and when sold, would be replaced in their original boxes. The first time I did this, I was overpowered by the force of the past. The doll in question was the creation of a dollmaker who has made dolls for almost a century. The colour of the box as well as the tissue paper within had not changed, nor had the logo and company design. I suddenly was taken back to Christmas as a child, when I opened a box like it to find my Christmas gift within. The memory was visceral, and all the senses were swept back to that magical moment.

Childhood is not an altogether happy time for many of us. It is a very difficult time and there are periods we probably would forget completely if we could. The magic of childhood, however, seldom can be duplicated in adulthood. When one is fortunate enough to experience that same magic again, one is twice blessed.

I would like to thank my mother for giving me this magic.