February
2026 / 02 / 03
International Day
Setsubun
Setsubun is a traditional Japanese festival held on the day before the beginning of spring (usuy February 3rd or 4th). Its core significance lies in driving away the misfortunes and evil spirits of the old year and welcoming the luck and blessings of the new spring, symbolizing the transition from old to new. The history of Setsubun can be traced back to the ancient Chinese 'Tsuina' exorcism ceremony, which later spread to Japan and merged with local customs. It became established in the imperial court during the Heian period and graduy spread among the common people. The primary celebration is the 'Bean-Throwing' ritual: at homes or shrines/temples, a person playing the role of 'Toshiotoko' or 'Toshi-onna' (or the head of the household) shouts 'Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!' ('Demons out! Fortune in!') while scattering roasted soybeans outside and inside the building to drive away the 'oni' (demons) symbolizing misfortune and invite the god of fortune inside. Afterwards, people eat a number of beans equal to their current age (in East Asian age reckoning) to pray for a year free from illness and disaster. Additiony, many families eat 'Ehomaki' – a thick, uncut sushi roll – facing the year's auspicious direction in silence on Setsubun night, which is believed to bring good luck. Setsubun activities are filled with a sense of family and community participation and are an important seasonal tradition in Japan.
This result was generated by AI