Setsubun
The Bean-Throwing Festival — driving out evil spirits at the change of seasons.
✦ Why It Matters
Setsubun marks the day before the beginning of spring (Risshun) in the traditional Japanese calendar. It is a purification ritual to drive out evil spirits (oni) and bring good fortune, symbolizing the casting out of all that is harmful from the previous year.
✦ How It Is Observed
Mamemaki (throwing roasted soybeans), shouting "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!" ("Demons out! Fortune in!"), eating the number of beans equal to your age plus one, wearing and displaying setsubun oni masks, eating ehomaki sushi roll facing the lucky direction.
✦ Sacred Text
“May all impurity, sin, and defilement be swept away by the wind and the water. May the great divine purification cleanse all that has been, so that what comes may be clean and bright.”
— Norito (Shinto purification prayer) ↗