Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!
Setsubun, bean-throwing festival/ceremony, is celebrated across Japan on 3rd Feb. And understandably, it has its variations. But for the most, at their homes, people will chant the words “Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!” (Demons out! Luck in!) and throw fukumame (roasted soybeans) to the Oni (which is usually acted by the head of the household where an Oni mask is used) and outside the window. The bean throwing ritual (mamemaki) denotes cleansing and in the past, as it was followed in the lunar calendar, this day was celebrated like New Year’s Eve. And thereafter, due to its popularity, it’s now customary to eat ehomaki (an uncut makizushi) while facing the yearly lucky direction (depending on the zodiac animal of the year). As this is year is the year of the tiger, one had to eat it while facing, as said by a Japanese colleague, “west, southwest”. And after much deliberation, we both agreed on an 8 o’clock direction. Apparently, the gods are there. Strangely enough, everyone in Japan seems to know this piece of information. And another, one must eat it in peace. No chatting, no funny noises nor sounds. Otherwise, luck or rather your wish will not come to you.
Lastly, the next day is called risshun which means the first day of spring.
Posts
