"Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi!"
鬼は外! 福は内
Devils out! Fortune in!
Here in the West we often talk about spring cleaning, but do you ever think to throw beans as you clean out your home?
Okay, okay, we know this topic is a bit off from April, but this tradition called Setsubun announces the end of winter and the beginning of spring. It is a fascinating blend of tradition and superstition we thought you would find interesting. In 2024, Setsubun celebrations took place on February 3.
History of Setsubun
The tradition came to Japan with Buddhism during the Heian Era (794–1185). Along with Setsubun activities came oni, ogres featured in Chinese and Japanese folklore. Oni are usually depicted as having red or blue skin, horns, and tusks.
The customs of Setsubun known today began in the Muromachi period (1336–1573). It was inspired by the legend of a monk who blinded a demonic creature with roasted beans. Households of the aristocracy and samurai class threw beans from their houses into the open air to ward off evil and bring in good luck.
The Japanese word for bean, 豆, is pronounced mame, which can be written as 'devil's eye' (魔目), and some believe that the pronunciation is similar to that of mametsu (魔滅), meaning 'to destroy the devil', which is why people began throwing beans during Setsubun.
Modern activities
Major shrines and temples across Japan host Setsubun festivals with events and activities, and some locations even feature sumo wrestlers, celebrities, and kabuki actors throwing the lucky beans to spread good luck.
At home
You can also chase demons away at your home. Open the doors of your home, throw beans at any potential demons waiting to come in, shouting "oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi" and then quickly run to slam the doors shut before the demons recover from the sudden assault. Afterwards, you should pick up and eat the number of beans that correspond to your age.
What is Ehomaki?
It is an uncut makizushi roll. Ehomaki is filled with seven ingredients, one for each of the Seven Lucky Gods. Traditionally, you're supposed to eat the entire roll with your eyes shut for maximum luck and to refrain from talking. Common ehomaki ingredients include eel, egg, shrimp, cucumber, and shiitake mushrooms.
The "eho" in ehomaki refers to a "lucky direction," so ehomaki is eaten while facing the direction considered luckiest for the year — 2024's lucky direction was east-northeast!
Holly and fish heads
While not so popular anymore and limited to a few regions, a few people still decorate their house entrances with fish heads and holly tree leaves to deter evil spirits from entering. Everyone knows that evil spirits and demons don't like fish that smell bad or sharp objects (like holly leaves...) that might poke their eyes out!
Setsubun is a fun tradition and we hope you’ll participate in the activities - throw beans, enjoy ehomaki, and join in some shrine festivities.