Setsubun

The Japanese festival of Setsubun known as the 'Bean Throwing Ceremony,' is celebrated this weekend. Traditionally it is a time to chase away evil spirits at the start of the spring, which in Japan officially begins on February 3rd - although I've just been told it is usually the coldest day of the year! Supermarkets are full of these beans with which you get a free devil mask when you buy some!

The most common custom is throwing roasted beans around homes, temples and shrines to drive away bad luck and invite happiness into your home. When throwing the beans you shout 'Oni wa soto! Fuka wa uchi!' meaning 'Bad luck outside good luck within!' Our Year 1 students had fun in the park today where they got to throw beans at the devil - who was of course their teacher in disguise!

After throwing the beans people eat the same number of beans as their age to wish for good health that year. That means that after today I get to eat one extra bean!

Cultures grow on the vine of tradition.
Jonah Goldberg