Japanese festivals
Minister of the Left . The Minister of the Right is depicted as a young person, while the
Minister of the Left is much older. Also, because the dolls are placed in positions relative to
each other, the Minister of the Right will be on the viewer's left and the Minister of the Left
will be on the viewer's right. Both are sometimes equipped with bows and arrows.
Between the two figures are covered bowl tables kakebanzen, also referred to as o-zen, as
well as diamond-shaped stands hishidai bearing diamond-shaped ricecakes hishimochi.
Hishidai with feline-shaped legs are known as nekoashigata hishidai.
Just below the ministers: on the rightmost, a mandarin orange tree Ukon no tachibana, and on
the leftmost, a cherry tree Sakon no sakura.
Fifth platform
The fifth tier, between the plants, holds three helpers or samurai as the protectors of the
Emperor and Empress. From left to right (viewer's perspective):
1.Maudlin drinker nakijgo,
2.Cantankerous drinker okorijgo, and
3