Experience the Unique Japanese Setsubun Festival and Traditions

An Introduction to Japan's Setsubun Festival

Setsubun is one of Japan's lesser known festivals, but it's a celebration that shouldn't be missed if you find yourself in the country in early February. Marking the division between the seasons, Setsubun has origins stretching back centuries and remains an important part of Japanese culture.

Read on to learn all about the history, traditions, and meaning behind Setsubun to get the most out of this unique festival.

What is Setsubun?

Setsubun directly translates to "seasonal division" in Japanese. It marks the division between the end of winter and beginning of spring in the lunar calendar. While the lunar new year was historically used in Japan, the country switched to the Gregorian calendar in 1873, so Setsubun aligns with early February each year.

The origins of Setsubun stretch back to the Muromachi period (1336-1573). At shrines and temples across Japan, Setsubun centers around cleansing rituals and chasing away evil spirits before the start of spring to ensure a good year ahead.

When is Setsubun Celebrated?

Setsubun is celebrated every year on February 3rd or occasionally February 4th if there is a leap year. This places it precisely before the first day of spring according to the old lunar calendar, which aligns with early February in the modern Gregorian calendar.

Major celebrations take place at shrines and temples nationwide on this day. Homes, schools, and businesses across Japan also participate in Setsubun festivities.

Setsubun Traditions and Customs

Several unique customs characterize the Setsubun festival. These popular rituals remain important today both symbolically and for bringing good fortune.

Mamemaki - Bean Throwing

The best known Setsubun tradition is mamemaki, or throwing roasted soybeans either outdoors or indoors while shouting "Demons out, Luck in!" Family members take turns scattering and throwing the beans to literally chase away misfortune and bring in good luck.

This practice originated from an ancient ritual using rice, peas and other grains to drive away evil spirits. Beans symbolize health and prosperity, making them a fitting choice.

Eating Eho-Maki

Another Setsubun custom involves eating eho-maki, a large sushi roll that measures the width of a person's shoulders. Custom dictates eating the roll in silence while facing the lucky compass direction of the year.

The eho-maki is specially assembled with seven ingredients symbolizing virtues like courage, patience and knowledge. Gobbling it down in one go is said to bring a year filled with fortune.

Toshikoshi Soba

It's also traditional to eat toshikoshi soba noodles on Setsubun. These buckwheat noodles represent letting go of the old year. Custom says to slurp up the entire long noodle while reflecting on the past year.

Since noodles also signify longevity in Japan, soba on Setsubun is meant to bring health and prosperity looking ahead.

Oni Masks and Costumes

A theatrical element livens up many Setsubun festivities in the form of people dressing up as oni demons. These costumed characters play the role of evil spirits getting chased or symbolically driven out during mamemaki bean throwing.

Vibrant masks depicting oni with horns and wild expressions often complete the outfits. Kids especially get a thrill out of the festival fun of shouting and pelting treats at the theatrical demons.

Setsubun at Japanese Temples

Some of Japan's most famous temples host large Setsubun celebrations centered around driving out demons and drawing in fortune. These events attract scores of visitors eager to join in the rituals and atmosphere.

At Buddhist temples like Sensoji in Tokyo, the throwing of beans is often preceded by dramatic performances and priests flinging purified water into crowds. Shinto shrines may also have ceremonies with taiko drumming to dispel evil.

Setsubun Celebrations at Home

Japanese families commonly celebrate Setsubun in their own homes even if they attend temple festivities too. Hanging sardine heads and holly leaves above doorways is one tradition meant to keep demons away.

Having the male head of household dress up as an oni to get pelted with beans is another way households mark the occasion. Kids look forward to throwing beans at their dad every Setsubun.

The Significance and Meaning of Setsubun

Beyond all the fanfare, Setsubun holds deeper meaning in Japanese culture. The cleansing rituals serve to drive away bad luck and hardship so the year ahead will be filled with promise.

Being a seasonal turning point, Setsubun reminds people to let go of regret and troubles from the past. It's a chance to start fresh along with nature by making a good beginning at the start of spring.

In a broader sense, the festival signifies the ongoing cycles of life. Bidding farewell to winter represents the impermanence of all things.

That's why Setsubun is ultimately meant to purify not just homes but also spirits as Japanese people enter a new phase looking ahead with optimism. The traditions infuse the new season with hopes for renewal and rebirth.

Celebrating Setsubun in Japan

Getting to take part in Setsubun provides a unique glimpse into Japanese culture. Visiting one of the major temple celebrations or joining everyday locals in traditions like bean scattering offers an educational experience.

From the striking oni masks to the ceremonial driving out of demons, Setsubun presents many opportunities for travelers to Japan to see religious practices and superstitions unfamiliar in other parts of the world.

While the holiday may get overshadowed by bigger events like Chinese New Year, Setsubun has endured over centuries as an atmospheric winter ritual. If you have the chance to be in Japan leading up to February 3rd, be sure not to miss out on the one-of-a-kind festivities this festival brings.

FAQs

What date is Setsubun celebrated?

Setsubun always falls on February 3rd or sometimes February 4th during a leap year. The date aligns with the lunar calendar's division between winter and spring.

Where are the biggest Setsubun celebrations?

Major shrines like Sensoji Temple in Tokyo and shrines in Osaka attract huge crowds for Setsubun. But the festival is celebrated nationwide at temples, in homes, schools and businesses.

What foods are eaten at Setsubun?

Traditional Setsubun foods include eho-maki (large sushi rolls), toshikoshi soba (buckwheat noodles), and roasted soybeans for scattering to drive out demons.

What are oni masks?

Oni are Japanese demons. At many Setsubun celebrations, people dress up in costumes and colorful masks depicting oni to play the role of evil spirits getting driven away.

What does throwing beans mean?

Throwing roasted soybeans is called mamemaki. It symbolizes driving out demons and misfortune and bringing in good luck and fortune for the year ahead.