Setsubun indicates the day before risshun which means the first day of spring, and it falls around February 3. Mame maki (bean throwing) ceremonies are widely performed on Setsubun.
Traditinally, people throw roasted soy beans, shouting "oni-wa-soto" (get out demons) and "fuku-wa-uchi" (come in happiness.) These beans are called fuku mame (fortune beans.) It is believed that people can be healthy and happy if they pick up and eat fuku mame the number equal to their ages. Also, eating fortune sushi rolls called eho-maki is a Japanese custom on Setsubun.
Bean throwing ceremonies are held at many temples and shrines around the country. People visit shrines and temples to pick up beans to receive good fortune. At major temples and shrines, Japanese cerebrities, such as sumo wrestlers, often participate in mamemaki. If you want to avoid crowds, try to go to a neighborhood shrine/temple. It might be fun to join other people who rush to catch the beans. Traditionally, people in Japan not only visit temples/shrines on Setsubun, but also perform bean throwing at home to drive away bad lucks and invite happiness into their houses.
By Shizuko Mishima
Japan Travel Expert
not mine.credit and source:ABOUT TRAVEL
Showing posts with label setsubun. Show all posts
Showing posts with label setsubun. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Setsubun
Setsubun (節分?) is the day before the beginning of spring in Japan.[1][2] The name literally means "seasonal division", but usually the term refers to the spring Setsubun, properly called Risshun (立春) celebrated yearly on February 3 as part of the Spring Festival (春祭 haru matsuri?).[3] In its association with the Lunar New Year, spring Setsubun can be and was previously thought of as a sort of New Year's Eve, and so was accompanied by a special ritual to cleanse away all the evil of the former year and drive away disease-bringing evil spirits for the year to come. This special ritual is called mamemaki (豆撒き?) (literally "bean scattering"). Setsubun has its origins in tsuina (追儺?, from M. Chin. ʈwij na), a Chinese custom introduced to Japan in the eighth century.[2]
The custom of Mamemaki first appeared in the Muromachi period.[2] It is usually performed by the toshiotoko (年男) of the household (the male who was born on the corresponding animal year on the Chinese zodiac), or else the male head of the household. Roasted soybeans (called "fortune beans" (福豆 fuku mame?)) are thrown either out the door or at a member of the family wearing an Oni (demon or ogre) mask, while the people say "Demons out! Luck in!" (鬼は外! 福は内! Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!?) and slam the door.[4] This is still common practice in households but many people will attend a shrine or temple's Spring festival where this is done.[5]:120 The beans are thought to symbolically purify the home by driving away the evil spirits that bring misfortune and bad health with them. Then, as part of bringing luck in, it is customary to eat roasted soybeans, one for each year of one's life, and in some areas, one for each year of one's life plus one more for bringing good luck for the year to come.[6]
The gestures of mamemaki look similar to the Western custom of throwing rice at newly married couples after a wedding.[2]
not mine.credit and source:WIKIPEDIA
The custom of Mamemaki first appeared in the Muromachi period.[2] It is usually performed by the toshiotoko (年男) of the household (the male who was born on the corresponding animal year on the Chinese zodiac), or else the male head of the household. Roasted soybeans (called "fortune beans" (福豆 fuku mame?)) are thrown either out the door or at a member of the family wearing an Oni (demon or ogre) mask, while the people say "Demons out! Luck in!" (鬼は外! 福は内! Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!?) and slam the door.[4] This is still common practice in households but many people will attend a shrine or temple's Spring festival where this is done.[5]:120 The beans are thought to symbolically purify the home by driving away the evil spirits that bring misfortune and bad health with them. Then, as part of bringing luck in, it is customary to eat roasted soybeans, one for each year of one's life, and in some areas, one for each year of one's life plus one more for bringing good luck for the year to come.[6]
The gestures of mamemaki look similar to the Western custom of throwing rice at newly married couples after a wedding.[2]
not mine.credit and source:WIKIPEDIA
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