menu for February 3rd, 2024

In Japan, around the same time of Groundhog Day, Feb 3, there is a seasonal change event called Setsubun. On Setsubun, people reflect on their weaknesses which are symbolized by the demon, oni which is believed to live in each person’s heart. On Setsubun, we have a chance to drive away our demon (oni) weaknesses by calling, “demons out and goodness in” (Oni wa soto; Fuku wa uchi!) while throwing soybeans (or in some areas, peanuts). This practice is a very good opportunity to think about self- improvement. I remember making demon masks every year at school and writing down weaknesses on paper. At home, we opened all the windows and doors before throwing roasted soybeans. My grandpa hung a woven basket on a high place to represent the demon's eye. My grandma picked a holly branch and decorated the front door with a grilled sardine’s head to help “keep the evil out.” Mom filled an antique square wooden cup with roasted soybeans. Grandpa threw soybeans from the inside to the outside of each room saying “Oni wa soto” (demons out) and my sister and I followed him and said the same,  “oni wa soto”. After driving away demons in each room, we called “Fuku wa uchi” (goodness in) by throwing beans from outside to inside and then closing the windows and doors so that demons wouldn't come back inside the house. Grandpa, my sister and I went outside and we said “Crush the demon’s eye” (Oni no me o buttsubuse!) by throwing soybeans into the woven basket. Cleaning up all the beans inside and outside on the next day was always a lot of work! Hahaha! 

On Setsubun we also eat the same number of roasted soybeans as our age to “extinguish” our demons, weaknesses. We eat Eho-maki (lucky roll sushi) quietly while facing a lucky direction – this year, it’s east-northeast. In some areas in Japan, people eat soba noodles on Setsubun for similar good luck.

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