Setsubun Spring Festival in Japan

Setsubun, literally translated as “seasonal division,” is a unique celebration in Japan in which people honor the changing season with the special ritual of mamemaki, or bean throwing. This festival is held every year on February 3rd, on the eve of spring in Japan. The changing of the season is very important in Japan, similar to the New Year, as it is thought to be a time of cleansing and welcoming good spirits for the coming year.

This celebration is honored with bean-throwing festivals all over the country. The night of Setsubun, people solidify their luck by eating a traditional makizushi roll called ehōmaki.

Mamemaki

Mamemaki is probably the most entertaining aspect of this celebration. The bean-throwing ritual is celebrated by Buddhist monks at many temples, by children in their schools, and by every family inside the home. Usually the male head of the household wears an oni, or demon mask, while the rest of the family throws the fortune beans at them while chanting “Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!” (Demons out! Luck in!)

The fuku mame, or roasted soybeans, are first thrown outside the home and then the rest are thrown inside the home, to symbolize the riddance of bad spirits and welcoming of good luck and fortune. It is then customary to eat the beans (yes, really, off the floor), one for each year of one’s life, plus one or two more for good luck.

We had some fun with this at the English school where I teach in Japan. I mean, how often do you get to throw beans at your boss? I wasn’t so keen about eating them off the floor though…

Ehōmaki

On the evening of Setsubun, it is custom to eat an uncut makizushi roll, or “lucky direction roll”. The special ehōmaki roll consists of 7 different fillings that represent health, happiness, and prosperity. Common ingredients include tuna, cucumber, shrimp, egg, eel, dried gourd, and shiitake mushrooms.

The roll must be eaten whole, in one sitting. You should eat the roll in complete silence while facing the good fortune direction of the year (this year is west/southwest). I was at work last night, and the lucky direction happens to be facing the wall behind my desk.

Many places in Tokyo held celebrations over the weekend as well. Below are a few highlights:
Children throw beans at the demon during Tokyo’s annual festival at Sensoji Temple (Source)

Even celebrities participate in the bean-throwing festivities at Shinshoji Temple in Chiba (Source)

Champion sumo wrestler Yamamotoyama throws beans at the crowd at Shinshoji Temple (Source)

What kinds of unique festivals have you celebrated?