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Japan’s Bean-throwing Festival (Setsubun) and how to participate

Asia/Oceania · February 3, 2017

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Literally meaning the “seasonal division”, Setsubun (節分) is an important Japanese celebration associated with the changing of seasons. Setsubun is traditionally celebrated on the day before the beginning of spring according to the lunar calendar (now fixed to February 3rd as part of the Haru Matsuri or Spring Festival).

While it has been marked in many ways across the centuries, nowadays the most common Setsubun ritual is mamemaki or bean-throwing, in which people throw roasted soy beans from their homes and temples and shrines throughout the country while shouting, “Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi!” (Demons out, good luck in!). It is believed this act will ward off evil spirits for the coming year. Eating the number of soy beans corresponding to your age is considered especially lucky. Some also believe eating one extra will bring even more good fortune.

Setsubun beans, Japan

Often someone will dress up as a demon (usually by way of a mask) to visually represent the ritualistic driving out of bad spirits. This is a job given to many dads across the country who are often pelted with beans by their kids after coming home from the office. Once they have been “driven out”, they re-enter the house, mask off, to enjoy the rest of the evening with their families.

On the evening of Setsubun, it is customary in the Kansai region to eat an uncut makizushi roll known as eho-maki (“lucky direction roll”). However, it is also becoming increasingly popular in the Kanto region thanks to excellent marketing by convenience stores and supermarkets. This special sushi roll is made with seven fillings corresponding to the Seven Deities of Good Fortune called Shichifukujin. The ingredients used represent good health, happiness and prosperity, while rolling them up is also said to be lucky.

Setsubun eho-maki, Japan

Eho-maki should not be cut into bite-size pieces as this would mean cutting your good fortune. For your wish to come true, it should be eaten in its entirety in silence while facing the good fortune direction of the year. The lucky direction for 2017 is north-north-west, 2018 is south-south-east and 2019 is east-north-east.

Both roasted soy beans and eho-maki can be bought readily these days from supermarkets and convenience stores. In the lead up to and on Setsubun itself, you'll find the roasted soy beans right by the entrance or registers. They usually come with a complimentary demon mask so you can have your own bean-throwing fun.

You can pre-order eho-maki from some convenience stores (7/11 for sure), supermarkets and sushi restaurants. There is usually a cut-off for orders, sometimes up to a week before, so be sure to be organized. That said, with eho-maki's growing popularity, it is becoming increasingly easy to just walk in and buy one off the shelf on the day, especially if you go earlier on.

Below are some pictures from Setsubun celebrations at Sensōji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo. At around 10am, local kindergarten children usually grace the steps of the temple to sing and participate in mamemaki.

Setsubun celebrations, Sensoji Temple, Tokyo, Japan
Local kindergarten children ready with their beans.
Setsubun celebrations, Sensoji Temple, Tokyo, Japan
A demon comes to scare them.
Setsubun celebrations, Sensoji Temple, Tokyo, Japan
Drove that demon away!
Setsubun celebrations, Sensoji Temple, Tokyo, Japan
Bean-throwing completed, it's time to say goodbye.

Have you seen or participated in any Setsubun celebrations? Are there any rituals like this to bring good fortune in your country/culture?

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Filed Under: Asia/Oceania Tagged With: festivals, food, japan, japanese culture, japanese festivals & events, japanese festivals & events spring

Jessica Korteman

Jessica Korteman is an Australian travel writer, based in Tokyo, Japan. Never without a pen and paper, you'll most often find her delving into the world of festivals and culture.

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  1. kaorisquarefeet says

    February 8, 2017 at 11:18 am

    I’ve only been to one Setsubun bean throwing event at a local shrine, but they were just throwing regular peanuts ;D

    Reply
    • Jessica Korteman says

      February 10, 2017 at 10:13 am

      Really? Haha Were they peanuts in the shell? If so, it’s probably for hygiene and non-waste reasons so people can pick up and eat the ones that inevitably end up on the ground. I’ve seen soy beans being thrown in small bags too for the same reason.

      Reply
  2. Les Petits Pas de Juls says

    February 4, 2017 at 7:17 am

    The kids are so cute!!!! First time ever I hear about this celebration. It’s always so interesting to find out about such traditions and see how very popular and followed they are. That fortune sushi roll looks delicious on top of bringing good luck! You just made me more craving for those! ;-)
    Enjoy the celebrations! Thanks again for sharing and taking us inside them too.
    Jul’

    Reply
    • Jessica Korteman says

      February 10, 2017 at 10:10 am

      Thanks, Jul’! It is a very interesting celebration and one that is easy to get involved in even as a visitor. And I don’t think anyone is complaining about having to eat sushi rolls! ;)

      Reply
  3. Guidefest says

    September 27, 2016 at 12:22 am

    Ahahah!!! Throwing beans to chase demons, we can only see that in Japan! ;)

    Reply
    • Jessica Korteman says

      February 10, 2017 at 10:05 am

      Yes, it is pretty unique! :)

      Reply
  4. Jessica Korteman says

    January 25, 2014 at 3:08 am

    The lucky direction for 2014 is east-north-east.

    Reply
  5. Jessica Korteman says

    January 28, 2013 at 12:34 pm

    The lucky direction for 2013 is south-south-east.

    Reply
  6. Offshore Virtual Assistant says

    April 18, 2012 at 12:06 pm

    I like the ritual in driving the demon away

    Reply
    • Jessica Korteman says

      January 25, 2014 at 3:12 am

      Me too! :) Hai and I used to throw the beans from our balcony after work on the night of Setsubun, hoping that we wouldn’t hit anyone :)

      Reply

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