"Ningyo Hoonsai" Doll Memorial Service Held at Dairokuten Sakaki Shrine in Kuramae for Hina Dolls and Stuffed Toys

The "Ningyo Hoonsai" memorial service for cherished dolls was held on October 13 at Dairokuten Sakaki Shrine (1 Kuramae, Taito-ku). The event recreates the traditional doll memorial service, in which people thank dolls for their safe growth and pray for the health of the donor and their family. Kyugetsu (1 Yanagibashi), a doll maker with its main flagship store in Asakusabashi, the "doll town," has cooperated since the first event, and this year marked the 15th.

Hina dolls, Boys' Festival dolls, stuffed toys, carp streamers and other items brought in were lined up on the shrine grounds. During the Shinto ritual, the chief priest offered a tamagushi (sacred sakaki branch offering) and held a memorial service for the dolls.

About the Shrine

The shrine is said to be one of the oldest in Tokyo, with a history of about 1,900 years. It was originally located on a hill in Asakusa Torigoe and was known as one of the "Torigoe Sansho Myojin" together with Torigoe Shrine and others. In the Edo period, it was ordered to relocate and was moved to Hottabara. In 1873 (Meiji 6), its name was changed to Sakaki Shrine.

The Organizer's Thoughts

Kyugetsu President Hisatoshi Yokoyama said, "Dolls carry many feelings. As someone from the local community, I am truly grateful to be able to properly hold memorial services for them." The items accepted have not changed since the first event, and the service accepts not only dolls but also stuffed toys and carp streamers. After the service, the spirit is removed from the dolls and they become mere "objects," so they are disposed of in the usual way.

Regarding the fact that memorial services for stuffed toys and similar items are not widely known, Yokoyama said, "Dolls are not purely objects; feelings and thoughts are very important. I hope this will be an opportunity for people to reflect on that." He said they plan to continue as long as the shrine kindly agrees.

Accepting Items for Memorial Service

• Memorial service fee on the day: 3,000 yen per armful (1 bag / 1 item)
• Items are accepted at Kyugetsu's Asakusabashi main flagship store until 12:00 on the day
• The company accepts doll memorial services year-round, and asks the shrine to hold the service for dolls it has received