Setsubun: Happy First Day of Spring!

Article by Janelle Rivera

It’s time to blossom because it’s Springtime in Okinawa – per the old Japanese calendar! Before we enjoy the blooms and fresh breeze outdoors, our usual ritual to celebrate the rebirth season is to spring clean. So, it’s time to dust, sweep, mop, vacuum, and rid your home with unwanted things you have accumulated from the season prior. While we’re busy with cleaning, Japan has their own tradition in welcoming the season.

“Setsubun,” translated as seasonal division, is celebrated the day before the beginning of Spring according to the Japanese lunar calendar. This year, Setsubun will be observed on February 3. Traditions in celebrating this particular festival have changed throughout the years; all for the purpose of driving away evil spirits from people’s homes, buildings, temples, and shrines. Long ago, Setsubun was observed by generating noise from drums, burning dried sardine heads, or burning wood. The noise coming from the drums, the smell from the burned dried sardine heads, and the smoke from the burning of the woods were said to drive away evil spirits.

In present day, traditions are carried out in different ways but mostly with bean throwing, which emerged in the eighth century. Citizens throw roasted beans around their homes, starting off in the room farthest from the front door. Windows are to be left open while performing the ritual so evil spirits who bring misfortune and bad health can leave the premises. Small children participate by throwing beans at someone who is cloaked as an evil spirit or “oni demon.” They shout “Oni wa Soto, Fuku wa Uchi!” which means “Demons out, fortune in!” while dispersing the beans around their homes. Temples and shrines also observe this holiday with bean throwing ceremonies for people to participate in.

Another widely practiced custom in celebration of Setsubun is the eating of “Ehomaki” or “Fortune Sushi Roll.” Ehomaki is a large, long sushi roll featuring seven ingredients such as tuna and egg; they use seven ingredients as the number is often affiliated with luck. Now, eating sushi during your meal is one thing, but eating Ehomaki during Setsubun has a particular directive. There is a specific cardinal direction considered to bringing you good fortune for the year, so it is said to eat your Ehomaki facing that lucky direction – without stopping. With your eyes closed while making a wish.

If you are looking to witness or participate in Setsubun this month, make sure to tag us @KadenaFSS. We would love to see the beauty of this festivity through your own lens.