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2/2/17

【Culture】節分 せつぶん Setsubun

Do you know what "節分 せつぶん setsubun" is?
It is one of annual event in Japan on February 3rd.

Originally "節分 せつぶん setsubun" means "border of season" which shows when spring, summer, autumn, winter begins.
However in old Japanese calendar, beginning of spring meant as a new year, so Setsubun on the beginning of spring became the most meaningful as annual event. Now when we say Setsubun, it is February 3rd; eve of the beginning of spring.

In old Japanese calendar, the beginning of spring means new year as stated above.
So on Setsubun, in order to welcome new year with good fortune, we have ceremony of driving out evil spirits which brings bad luck to our home.

There are three things what we can do on Setsubun.

1. Roasted soy beans
Throw roasted soy beans in and out of the house as if we beat up and sweep out evil spirits from inside  house at the night of Setsubun.
When we do this, we say

鬼は外 福は内  おにはそと ふくはうち
oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi

= Evil be gone out, Good fortune come in

and we eat roasted soy beans as same number as own age to wish for sound health.

Sometimes adults in family disguise as evil by wearing a mask and children throw beans at him.
Nowadays, depends on where you live, you must clean the beans you throw outside after this ceremony. Because these beans can make a mess on a street.


2. Sardines
When we bake sardines, it makes very fishy stinky smoke which ancient Japanese believed that the smoke will driving out evil spirits.
Some area in Japan put the head of sardines to stick on holly branch in front of house.

3. Futomaki zushi
"Futomaki zushi" is a thick roll sushi.
In Kansai area (west side of Japan), people have a customs to eat Futomaki zushi silently by facing good fortuned direction. 
Good fortuned direction will change every year. This year 2017 is North-northwest.
In recent years, this customs became popular almost all over Japan, and now it's called  "恵方巻 えほうまき ehoumaki".
On Setsubun, you can easily find this thick roll sushi at super market or even convenience store such as Seven Eleven.





Do you think this is too much things to do?
Well, I usually do all of these because I want good fortune come to me desperately! Hahaha
Yes, I'm very greedy. :p

By the way, baking Sardines at home may be horrible idea. It literally make whole your house stinky!
Personally, I like stinky fish smell (yes I know I'm weird.) though my neighbors may not be happy......

Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!







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