Japanese Traditions

On this page, we will introduce some aspects of Japanese traditions.

SETSUBUN
* * * Bean Throwing Ceremony

On February 3, Japanese take part in a “Bean Throwing Ceremony” called "SETSUBUN".
”SETSUBUN“ literally means “the day between two seasons , winter and spring”, and the 3^rd in February on the present calendar is the day before the spring　season.
On the night of the 3^rd people throw roasted soybeans, called “mame-maki”, at  their house. When we throw beans, we shout "Oni wa soto, Fuku wa uti" which means "Drive evils away, bring happiness in". The "Oni" is an ancient imaginary evil.

 At some houses, where there are especially young children, one of the family members (usually the father) act as an "Oni", and the kids throw beans at him to make him ran away.
　

After people throw beans, they eat some the same number of beans as their age. As roasted beans are not good for our digestion, so old saying goes, mothers instruct their children not to eat over the number of their age.

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There are some people who go to local temples during the day. In the Nagoya area, there is a special annual ceremony for “SETSUBUN” at “Osu Kan-non” temple.

People who act as gods of good fortune throw beans against some “Oni”, and people try to catch the beans to get happiness. (Refer to information here)

 An aspect of “Bean Throwing Ceremony “at “Osu Kan-non” temple

 A person who acts as an “Oni” at “Osu Kan-non” temple

Every year, there is a special happy direction called “Ehou”, and this year’s one is south-south-east. In the Nagoya area, there are four special temples called the “Owari yon kan-non”, and a special prayer is held at the one placed closest to the happy direction. This year, it’s held at “Kasadera kan-non” temple. (Refer to information here)

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Eating “Ehou-maki” is another special traditional event which has become popular recently. ”Ehou-maki” is a sushi roll made from rice, cucumber, shiitake mushroom,   eel and so on. They say if you eat it facing the happy direction while keeping quiet, you will become happy.