せつぶん二月　四日 (Feb. ４ )

Setsubun

Bean-Throwing Ceremony Day

せつぶん Feb 4 is Setsubun (Bean-throwing Ceremony Day), a curious festival based on the old Chinese lunar calendar when Setsu was New Year' Eve and the last day of winter.

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What is Setsubun? The general idea of Setsubun is to drive out evil, sickness and misfortune from the old year and welcome good luck, health and fortune into the new one, primarily though a ritual known as mame-maki (bean-throwing). QuickTime™ and a

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History of Setsubun Setsubun dates back to the Japanese Muromachi period 1333-1568, but originated in China in 1067 BC when Chinese men dressed in bear skins and masks and pretended to drive away evil with sharp weapons. Today, at Setsubun festivals large Japanese men dressed in mawashi (loincloths) throw beans and rice cakes at devils. How little times have changed!

What do they do on Setsubun? Japanese fathers usually spend the festivities wearing an oni (devil) mask, representing a demon, evil and bad luck, and the rest of the family throw roasted soybeans at daddy to drive out the badness he represents. Shouting " Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi! " ("Out with the demons! In with good luck!") they pelt him with beans. Nowadays, people eat rolled sushi facing "lucky direction," the direction of the god of that year. While you’re eating it, you are supposed to be silent and make wishes for the New Year.

What do they do on Setsubun? Obvious destinations on the 4th include Zojo-ji and Senso-ji in Asakusa, Tokyo, but one of the most popular Setsubun festivals takes place at Tomioka Hachimangu. Here, four or five sumo wrestlers throw beans and mochi at the crowds. Just be sure to get there early! Although the event doesn't officially start until 4 p.m., ticket sales start at 2 p.m., and they go like hot cakes - or should that be hot beans? 

What do they do on Setsubun? Cardboard oni devil masks and packets of roasted soybeans can be purchased at any convenience store or supermarket. Of course, if you live alone you may feel a bit foolish throwing beans at yourself, in which case, you have a "lucky" option: Eat the number of beans equivalent to your age!

A family celebrating Setsubun…

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The information is from:

http://momiji.jpf.go.jp/kyozai/English/Resources