Setsubun

February 3rd was a Japanese holiday called Setsubun or the  Bean-Throwing Ceremony. It  is the day before the beginning of spring in Japan. It is a celebration of the new year. Roasted soybeans  are thrown either out the door or at a member of the family wearing an Oni (demon or ogre) mask, while the people say "Demons out! Luck in!" and slam the door. The beans are thought to symbolically purify the home by driving away the evil spirits that bring misfortune and bad health with them. Then, as part of bringing luck in, it is customary to eat roasted soybeans, one for each year of one's life, and in some areas, one for each year of one's life plus one more for bringing good luck for the year to come

They celebrated this holiday at the kids' school as part of their Japanese classes. It was lots of fun!

Katie's class throwing beans at the Oni

Another Setsubun custom that has become popular in recent years is eating a  big roll of sushi known as eho-maki in the evening while facing the direction in which the spirit of the harvest is said to reside. This direction changes each year. Then you then make a silent wish. This is Matt's favorite part of Setsubun. We still haven't convinced him to let us throw beans at him!

Oni mask Katie made in class