38,000 Dolls Farewelled at Tokyo Shrine
Around 38,000 dolls, including traditional Japanese dolls and stuffed animals, were brought to Meiji Shrine in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward for the annual Doll Appreciation Festival, where visitors bid farewell to old and damaged dolls in a ceremony expressing gratitude for the years they had been cherished. (News On Japan)
In Tokyo's Shibuya Ward, Meiji Shrine hosted the 38th annual Doll Appreciation Festival, where approximately 38,000 dolls, ranging from traditional Japanese dolls to stuffed animals, were brought to be ritually honored and bid farewell. Visitors expressed their gratitude for the years the dolls had been cherished before disposing of them.
Shinto priests performed purification rituals and shrine maidens performed a traditional ceremonial dance during the event. This centuries-old tradition allows people to show respect for dolls and other beloved possessions, recognizing the emotional bonds formed over time.
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