Setsubun 2016

We are very lucky to have a little Japanese community here in Bayshore Park. Even though I had almost forgotten about it this year, my friends texted me and asked if we wanted to join the Setsubun celebration last night.

Setsubun literally means "seasonal division" - it is the day before the beginning of spring in Japan. On this day (February 3rd) we perform a special ritual called mamemaki - literally means bean scattering. We appoint onis, the evil spirits and call out very loud and throw soy beans at them. This will cleanse away all the evil of the former year and bring happiness to the household. Then you need to pick up the beans and eat as many as your age plus one for good health for the coming year.

We made some special sushi - ehomaki, which you eat without talking and facing the certain direction set for the year. Cutting it will bring bad luck so you are supposed to eat them as a whole.

The kids were all very excited and certainly ate very well - the whole sushi roll each!!