Usage
Dictionary
Kanji: 節分
Hiragana: せつぶん
Pronunciation: Setsubun
Meaning: Last day of winter in the traditional Japanese calendar (usually February 3 or 4), Japanese holiday for end of winter (accompanied by a bean scattering ceremony)
Column
Setsubun: Japanese Bean-Throwing Festival
Setsubun, a traditional Japanese event, celebrates the changing seasons and is particularly significant on the day before the beginning of spring, around February 3rd. It marks the transition from winter to spring and involves rituals aimed at warding off evil spirits and inviting good fortune.
Bean-Throwing Ceremony
One of the most well-known traditions of Setsubun is the bean-throwing ceremony known as “mamemaki.” During this ritual, roasted soybeans are thrown inside and outside the house while shouting, “鬼は外! 福は内! (Oni-wa-soto! Fuku-wa-uchi!)” (“Out with demons! In with luck!”). This act symbolizes driving out negativity from the home and welcoming prosperity.
How to Perform Mamemaki
- Prepare the Beans: Roast soybeans are traditionally used, but pre-packaged roasted beans are also common.
- Chant: Face outside and shout “Oni wa soto!” Then turn inside and shout “Fuku wa uchi!”
- Eat Beans: After the ceremony, it is customary to eat the same number of beans as your age to ensure health and good fortune for the year. Some also eat one additional bean for extra luck.
Ehoumaki: Lucky Direction Sushi Roll
Ehoumaki, a special food eaten during Setsubun, is a type of thick sushi roll. It is eaten silently while facing a specific lucky direction (the auspicious direction changes each year). This practice is believed to bring good luck and fulfillment of wishes.
Origin and Consumption
Originating in the Kansai region and now popular nationwide, Ehoumaki is typically prepared with seven ingredients representing the Seven Deities of Good Fortune.
- Preparation: Purchase or prepare Ehoumaki with seven lucky ingredients.
- Confirm Lucky Direction: Check the lucky direction for the year (in 2024, it’s northeast-east).
- Consumption: Eat the roll in silence, facing the lucky direction, while making a wish.
Enjoying Setsubun
Setsubun is a joyful occasion to celebrate with family and friends. Children often wear demon masks and enjoy throwing beans, adding to the festive atmosphere. Many communities also organize bean-throwing events, allowing everyone to join in the fun.
Setsubun is not only a time to mark seasonal changes but also an opportunity to strengthen family bonds. Celebrate this year’s Setsubun with mamemaki and ehoumaki for a memorable and auspicious experience!
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