#japan customs

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In Mob Puz’ new event, as same as the traditional occasion that is currently happening in Japan, we are joining their girl’s celebration that is Doll event or also known as Hina Matsuri. I already shared a post about it just a few days ago about how the dolls are placed in a step altar. Now, considering we have 5 new limited characters from Mob Psycho 100 as dolls as shown already, I figured out where to place them based from the blog sources I found. I also included the others that aren’t mentioned based from my creative imagination of my mind. I’m also looking forward for a step altar fanart that is arranged traditionally according to Japanese culture and customs by looking at the following information below. Let’s say this is a challenge for all artists out there

Now, going down to the Hina-Ningyo placements using the Mob Psycho 100 characters. In Japan, You can’t just arrange the dolls how you’d like, and wouldn’t you believe it’s actually quite complex. Some additional information that was already been shared/posted but it’s still quite important because of this gorgeous occasion (for girls):

The dolls themselves are usually acquired by the family after the first girl is born; either by inheriting them, as a gift from the grandparents, or by simply purchasing themselves. This custom of putting dolls on display is said to have begun during the Heian period (794-1185), and as such the dolls are all modeled after the hierarchy of the imperial court during that time.

Some Hina-Ningyo displays are very extravagant and elaborate.

Traditionally they are arranged and displayed on a five or seven-tiered stand covered with a red carpet. Sets can range from a few hundred-thousand yen to up in the millions! Although, due to the cost and limited space, it is now common to see smaller versions on display in homes. In fact, today it is most common to only display the very top-tier.

First platform:

The top-tier holds the two most important dolls. These dolls represent the Emperor, called Odari-sama (御内裏様) who is holding a ritual baton, and the Empress, called Ohime-sama (御雛様) who holds a fan. Using MP100 characters, as already showed in the game, the top tier includes Emperor Mob and Empress Teru.

Between them you’ll see an arrangement of two vases of peach blossoms called a sanbo kazari (三方飾) i or in other term known as Momo no hana, and to the outside of the platform there are bonbori (雪洞), paper lanterns decorated with plum blossoms or cherry blossoms which represent the spring season. In traditional arrangements the female is seated at the right side of the male doll, because historically the Empress was always seated to the right side of the Emperor. However, in the 20th century the Empress began to sit on the Emperor’s left side. You’ll find this change has since been incorporated in the modern Hina-Ningyo placements– except in Kyoto where they still place them in the original, traditional position.

Second platform:

In the second tier are the three court ladies, sannin kanjo (三人官女),and each one is holding some form of sake equipment.

From left to right:

Kuwae no choushi (加えの銚子): backup sake-bearer (standing)
Sanpou (三方): sake bearer (seated)
Nagae no choushi (長柄の銚子): long-handled sake-bearer (standing)

Since we don’t have court ladies presented in Mob Puz game, I will be using 3 ladies that are commonly showed in Mob Psycho 100, the left will be Emi, the middle will be Takane Tsubomi and the right will be Mezato Ichi

The accessories placed in between the ladies are called takatsuki(高坏), which are round-topped tables used for serving seasonal sweets. A dinner tray on above image is an image for it.

Third platform

This tier features five male musicians, gonin bayashi (五人囃子). Each one holds a musical instrument besides the singer, who holds a fan.

From left to the right:

Taiko (太鼓) drummer (seated)
Otsuzumi (大鼓) drummer (standing)
Kotsuzumi (小鼓) drummer (standing)
Fue (笛) or Yokobue (横笛) flautist (seated)
Utaikata (謡い方), the singer (seated)

I will be using the 4/5 members of the Telepathy club as a dolls for this platform:

From left to right:

Drummer (seated) - Inugawa
Drummer (standing) - Kijibayashi
Drummer (standing) - Saruta
Flautist (seated) - Takenaka
Singer (seated) - Kurata Tome

Fourth Platform:

The fourth tier displays two ministers (大臣, daijin), who are usually equipped with bow and arrows.

Udaijin (右大臣): The Minister of the Right, who is on the left side.
Sadaijin (左大臣): The Minister of the Left, who is portrayed as much older with a long white beard.

The Minister of the Right is depicted as a young person, while the Minister of the Left is much older.. Also, because the dolls are placed in positions relative to each other, the Minister of the Right will be on the viewer’s left and the Minister of the Left will be on the viewer’s right. Both are sometimes equipped with bows and arrows. Between the two figures are covered bowl tables kakebanzen(掛盤膳^?), also referred to as o-zen(お膳^?), as well as diamond-shaped stands hishidai(菱台^?) bearing diamond-shaped ricecakes hishimochi(菱餅^?).Hishidai with feline-shaped legs are known as nekoashigata hishidai(猫足形菱台^?).

I will be using 3 characters that are already shown in the Mob Puz game, the MInister on the Right is Udaijin Ritsu, the Minister on the left is Sadaijin Reigen and Diamond shaped rice cakes whom is Hishimochi Dimple

Fifth Platform:

The fifth tier holds the three samurai protectors of the Emperor and Empress.From left to right:

Nakijogo (泣き上戸):the maudlin drinker
Okorijogo(怒り上戸):the cantankerous drinker
Waraijogo (笑い上戸): the merry drinker

On the leftmost side there is a mandarin orange tree (ukon no tachibana 右近の橘), and one the rightmost is a cherry blossom tree (sakon no sakura左近の桜).

I will be using 3 guys from Body Improvement Club as the protectors of the Emperor and Empress.You are free to choose whoever from the 5 will be the 3 protectors on this platform since in the manga and anime, it’s also their duty and responsibility to look after their member whom is considered as one of their family like Mob. Goda Musashi must be included as one of the 3 here since like guys from BIC, he’s a really reliable president and of course a friend too.

Sixth Platform:

There are actually no dolls on the sixth tier, and instead used to display a variety of miniature items that can be found within the imperial palace. Common items include:

Nagamochi (長持): a long chest used for kimono storage
Kyodai (鏡台): a chest of drawers with a small mirror on top
Tansu (箪笥): a chest of usually five drawers
Hasamibako (挟箱): a small box used for storing clothes, it’s placed on top of the nagamochi
Daisu (台子): utensils for a tea ceremony
Haribako (針箱): a sewing kit box
Hibachi (火鉢): two braziers

Seventh Platform:

Like the sixth platform, this level also contains no dolls. These items however are all things that can be found outside the imperial palace. Some common items are:

Jubako (重箱): a set of lacquered food boxes tied together by a cord with a handle
Goshoguruma (御所車): a carriage pulled by an ox
Gokago (御駕籠): a palanquin

So there, I hope to see this in one of your fanart soon. Take it as a request from me but I’m not rushing anything so you are free to use your time whenever you want. Just in case you’ve finished it, please feel free to share your arts in fanart category of our discord server. Please be followed of the pinned rules over there

Web/Blog sources:Japan Travel in Translation,Japanese dolls tumblr blog andWikipedia