Setsubun

One really fun event of the year is setsubun, which falls on February 2 or 3. This is usually the coldest time of the year, so when setsubun has passed we can look forward to a warming trend and signs of spring.

Unfortunately, setsubun is not recognized as a national holiday; it doesn't get a red number on the calendar. In fact, it isn't even mentioned on most calendars today like it used to be. Like Halloween in the U. S., it's a regular work/school day, with the relevant activities done in the evening. And, like Halloween, the "activities" are the most fun when there are young people (including the young at heart) in the house.

What you do is go to the store and buy a package of dried soybeans. Then, in the evening, you go to your front door and open it. Next, you take a handful of the soybeans and throw them outside while shouting Oni wa soto! (Demons, get out!) Then you throw a handful of the beans inside, shouting Fuku wa uchi! (Good luck, come in!) Many families choose someone to play the part of the oni (ogre or demon), usually the father or an older brother, who runs outside covering his head and shrinks as family members pelt him with the beans. At this time of year packages of soybeans which include a simple oni mask are available just for the occasion, making this activity even more fun. After this, you pick up and eat the beans which are scattered around inside the house. Traditionally, you're supposed to eat the same number of beans as your age, one for each setsubun you've been through. If you really want to do the whole traditional bit, you attach a small branch from a tree to the outside of your front door and hang grilled sardine heads on it. This is sure to keep the evil ogres away.

The next time you're in Japan in early February, see if you can participate in one of these house-cleaning rituals. It only lasts a few minutes, and it's a fun way to say good-bye to the coldest part of winter while looking forward to a new spring.

© 1999 - 2008 Tim R. Matheson