"Setsubun" - February 3rd

This year on February 3rd many people around Japan will celebrate Setsubun. It is not a holiday but it is celebrated to ward off evil spirits on the start of Spring according to the lunar calendar. Japanese have many rituals during this time. Most Japanese throw roasted beans at the entrance and around thier home, temples and/or shrines. Help ring in the beginning of Spring by throwing beans. As you throw, you should say out loud, "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!" ("Demons go away, let happiness enter!"). Afterwards you should pick up and eat the number of beans, which corresponds to your age. For me that will be in the 40's. Here is a pictures of the characters during this time. One is an "Ogre" that people throw the beans at and one is the god of happiness. And of course the roasted beans. Happy Setsubun!