Description: Jukken business at the puppet market - Jukken-ten - Hina ichi - 十軒店 雛市 Illustration from the 1802 three-volume picture booklet Pleasures in the Eastern Capital (Ehon Azuma asobi - 絵本東遊), published in 1802 During the Edo period, the puppet festival (雛祭 hina matsuri) was celebrated on the third day of the third month. The day was devoted to girls and remains the occasion to build splendidly dressed puppets atop tiered pedestals featuring red fleece that depict the imperial court of the Heian period (794 - 1192). Either at birth or on her first birthday, every girl receives such puppets, which are part of her dowery, from her parents or grandparents. After March 3rd, the puppets are put away. Keeping them out too long brings bad luck, like a late marriage or childlessness. Puppet makers were (and are) located in the quarter Ningyô-chô in Edo/Tokyo (Ningyô = puppet). In the days before the puppet festival, there is lively activity, with people crowding around the markets, businesses and workshops to buy an appropriate present for their daughters and granddaughters. Condition: Worn, with one small hole on the left upper corner of the right page Provenance: From a German private collection