Setsubun in Japan ― Date, History, and Details
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Let's dive deeper into learning more about the history of Setsubun in Japan and why people celebrate or observe it.
History of Setsubun in Japan and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
Setsubun is a traditional Japanese festival celebrated on the day before the beginning of spring, usually in February. It has been observed for centuries and is deeply rooted in Japan’s culture. The purpose of Setsubun is to ward off bad luck and evil spirits by throwing beans and chanting “Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!” (“Demons out! Luck in!”).
Traditionally, Setsubun was celebrated by families within their homes. On the day of Setsubun, family members would gather together, throw roasted soybeans around the house while chanting the phrase, and then eat the same number of beans as their age. After that, the head of the family would dress up as an oni (demon) and the other family members would throw beans at them, symbolizing the warding off of bad luck.
Today, Setsubun is still widely celebrated in Japan. Many temples and shrines hold special events where people can participate in traditional Setsubun activities such as bean-throwing, mamemaki (bean tossing), and oni mask performances. People also often buy special setsubun decorations and food items such as ehomaki (lucky sushi rolls) to celebrate the day.