May 10 (NHK) - A memorial service has been held for old dolls in a Buddhist temple in Chiba Prefecture outside Tokyo. The dolls were no longer used by their owners.
The "Doll thanksgiving festival" is held annually at this time of year for dolls and stuffed toys that are too old or worn, or no longer used because their owners have grown up.
About 3,500 dolls were put on a temporary altar at Fukujuji temple in the city of Kisarazu on Wednesday. They included dolls for the girls' festival in March and boys' festival in May as well as stuffed dolls.
The dolls were burned while sutras were recited by the chief priest. Their owners paid farewell to them, burning incense for their souls or putting their palms together.
A 57-year-old local woman said she brought her doll that had been bought for her when she was small. She said her mother had taken good care of it after she grew up. She said she appreciates the memorial service for her doll.
The event is sponsored by a group of local doll shops in the city.
Tadao Katsu, the group's leader, says some families just throw away old dolls. He said he will keep holding the event and asking people to care for their dolls.
