2013/01/21

Setsubun -Feb3-

Setsubun (bean-throwing festival) is the day before the beginning of Spring in Japan, falling on February 3 this year. It used to be thought as New Year’s Eve according to Japanese traditional calendar and the very important day to cleanse away all the evil of the former year and bring fortune spirits into the year to come.

The special ritual is “mamemaki (Lit: bean-throwing)” . People throw beans out the door in order to drive away evil spirits and throw them in to bring in fortune.


Eho-maki  frm web
The other custom, especially Osaka area, is to eat uncut rolled sushi called Eho-Maki (lit. "lucky direction roll") while facing the yearly lucky direction and praying for one’s wish. And there is a big rule. You are not allowed to speak even a word while eating Eho-Maki. Why? Otherwise, your luck will be gone! Don’t forget tea so that you won’t get the sushi stuck in your throat.




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