Setsubun (seh-zu-boon), which actually means seasonal divider, is the day before the beginning of each season in Japan but the Spring Setsubun, called Rishun (lee-shoon) is celebrated each year on February 3rd as part of Haru Matsuri (ha-loo mah-zu-lee) or Spring Festival.
In its association with the Lunar New Year, Spring Setsubun was previously thought of as sort of New Year's Eve and is accompanied by a special cleansing ritual to drive away all the negative of the former year and drive away disease-bringing evil spirits for the year to come. The ritual is called mamemaki (mah-meh-mah-kee) or bean throwing.
Mamemaki is usually performed by the toshiotoko (toe-she-oh-toe-koe) of the household; the male who was born on the corresponding animal year of the Chinese zodiac or the male head of the household. Roasted soybeans (called fukumame (foo-koo mah-meh) are either thrown out the front door or at a member of the family wearing an Oni (oh-nee) or demon mask, while the throwers chant "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!" (oh-nee-wah-sew-toe foo-koo-wah-oo-chee). The words roughly translate to "Demons out! Luck in!" The beans are thought to symbolically purify the home by driving away the evil spirits that bring misfortune and bad health. 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 additional good luck for the year to come.
May this year bring forth good health, good fortune, happiness, laughter and love.
In its association with the Lunar New Year, Spring Setsubun was previously thought of as sort of New Year's Eve and is accompanied by a special cleansing ritual to drive away all the negative of the former year and drive away disease-bringing evil spirits for the year to come. The ritual is called mamemaki (mah-meh-mah-kee) or bean throwing.
Mamemaki is usually performed by the toshiotoko (toe-she-oh-toe-koe) of the household; the male who was born on the corresponding animal year of the Chinese zodiac or the male head of the household. Roasted soybeans (called fukumame (foo-koo mah-meh) are either thrown out the front door or at a member of the family wearing an Oni (oh-nee) or demon mask, while the throwers chant "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!" (oh-nee-wah-sew-toe foo-koo-wah-oo-chee). The words roughly translate to "Demons out! Luck in!" The beans are thought to symbolically purify the home by driving away the evil spirits that bring misfortune and bad health. 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 additional good luck for the year to come.
May this year bring forth good health, good fortune, happiness, laughter and love.
No comments:
Post a Comment