In Japan, March 3rd is "Hina Matsuri" (Girls' Festival or Dall Festival), when people pray for the happiness and healthy growth of girls. It is also called "Momo no Sekku" (Peach Festival) because of the peach blossom season on the old lunar calendar. Famillies with young daughters set up "Hina Ningyo" (a set of ornamental dolls) inside the house.

The dolls wear costumes of the imperial court during the Heian period and are placed on a tiered platform covered with red carpet. The size of the dolls and number of steps vary, but usually the displays are of five or seven layers.

The Emperor and Empress (Shinno & Shinnohi) are placed on the top tier. On the second tier are 3 ladies-in-waiting (3nin Kanjo), and on the third are 5 male musicians (5nin Bayashi). 2 Ministers (Udaijin & Sadaijin) sit on either side of trays of food on the fourth tier and the fifth tier are 3 workers (Shicho / 3nin Jogo).

Most families take "Hina Ningyo" out of the closet around February and put it away again as soon as "Hina Matsuri" is over!!! Superstition says that leaving "Hina Ningyo" past March 4th will result in a late marriage for the daughters.

I also have my own "Hina Ningyo" in my parent' house in Tokyo, but not here in New York. Because I have a son. So we have a "Kabuto" (the traditional Japanese military helmet) and a small "Koinobori" (the carp-shaped flags) instead of "Hina Ningyo".
The traditional Japanese dalls are very beautiful. Please try to seach "Hina Ningyo"on the net. I'm sure you can find photos of very beautiful Japanese dolls♪♪♪