1.
imperial dolls; the emperor and empress pair of a hina display
The two dolls placed on the top tier of a 雛人形 display for the March 3 Doll Festival, dressed as the Heian imperial couple. Sold and spoken of as a pair, and often the only dolls a household displays.
Common collocations
- 内裏雛を飾る: to display the imperial pair
- 内裏雛を片付ける: to put the dolls away (traditionally soon after March 3)
- 親王飾り: a display consisting of the imperial pair only
Cultural note
In conversation the two are usually called お内裏様 (the male doll) and お雛様 (the female doll). Placement differs by region: in Tokyo-style displays the male doll sits on the viewer's left, in Kyoto-style displays on the right.