The Beginning of Spring: Setsubun👹🫘
Hello Mito Amity students and family! (⌒▽⌒)☆
Today, we will be talking about a celebration occurring this coming Sunday, February 2nd: Setsubun!
This is a Japanese holiday that marks the start of spring according to the Japanese lunar calendar; it is the last day of winter. The date of Setsubun differs each year but usually ends up being on February 2nd, 3rd, or 4th. Setsubun literally translates to "seasonal division" in English.
Japan has four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The term Setsubun originally referred to the days marking the change from one season to the next, so that there were four of them for each season. However, only the day before Risshun (the beginning of spring in the traditional Japanese calendar) is still called by that name.
There are many cultural customs that Japanese people follow to celebrate Setsubun. This differs from region to region in Japan, but there are many similarities. Many of these customs are based around warding off demons and other evil for the coming of spring as well as attracting prosperity and fortune into one`s life.
For example, in the 13th century it became a custom to drive away evil spirits by the strong smell of burning dried sardine heads, the smoke of burning wood, and the noise of drums. While these customs are not popular anymore, a few people still decorate their house entrances with fish heads and holy tree leaves in order to deter evil spirits from entering.
Now, there are only a few rituals that Japanese people still perform for Setsubun. One of these include throwing roasted beans around one's house and at temples and shrines: mame-maki. This is usually done the night of Setsubun. When throwing the beans, you are supposed to shout "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!" ("Out with the demons and in with fortune!"). After mame-maki is over, everyone eats the same number of beans as their own age. It is believed that by doing so, people will be free of sickness during that year.
Families with little children especially look forward to this day because mame-maki can be a lot of fun. One person acts as the goblin and runs around, while the others throw beans at the person. At some schools, the students make goblin masks and enjoy mame-maki.
How will you be celebrating Setsubun this year? Let us know in your next Amity lesson!
Sincerely,
Your English Teachers at Mito Amity (♡°▽°♡)
Today, we will be talking about a celebration occurring this coming Sunday, February 2nd: Setsubun!
This is a Japanese holiday that marks the start of spring according to the Japanese lunar calendar; it is the last day of winter. The date of Setsubun differs each year but usually ends up being on February 2nd, 3rd, or 4th. Setsubun literally translates to "seasonal division" in English.
Japan has four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The term Setsubun originally referred to the days marking the change from one season to the next, so that there were four of them for each season. However, only the day before Risshun (the beginning of spring in the traditional Japanese calendar) is still called by that name.
There are many cultural customs that Japanese people follow to celebrate Setsubun. This differs from region to region in Japan, but there are many similarities. Many of these customs are based around warding off demons and other evil for the coming of spring as well as attracting prosperity and fortune into one`s life.
For example, in the 13th century it became a custom to drive away evil spirits by the strong smell of burning dried sardine heads, the smoke of burning wood, and the noise of drums. While these customs are not popular anymore, a few people still decorate their house entrances with fish heads and holy tree leaves in order to deter evil spirits from entering.
Now, there are only a few rituals that Japanese people still perform for Setsubun. One of these include throwing roasted beans around one's house and at temples and shrines: mame-maki. This is usually done the night of Setsubun. When throwing the beans, you are supposed to shout "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!" ("Out with the demons and in with fortune!"). After mame-maki is over, everyone eats the same number of beans as their own age. It is believed that by doing so, people will be free of sickness during that year.
Families with little children especially look forward to this day because mame-maki can be a lot of fun. One person acts as the goblin and runs around, while the others throw beans at the person. At some schools, the students make goblin masks and enjoy mame-maki.
How will you be celebrating Setsubun this year? Let us know in your next Amity lesson!
Sincerely,
Your English Teachers at Mito Amity (♡°▽°♡)
