Today is Setsubun (節分), the day before spring in the old calendar in Japan. As always, we followed the tradition of eating Ehomaki sushi (handmade by a local restaurant/cafe). One eats the roll without talking, while facing the year’s lucky direction.
Upon pickup, the shop owner even threw in a free bowl of handmade kimchi. 
Today in Japan is Setsubun, a festival for driving out bad luck and welcoming good fortune. The most popular ritual involves throwing beans. I've written a quick overview at the link below if you'd like to find out more. My Substack newsletter is completely free so please subscribe for new content if you're interested.
https://open.substack.com/pub/curiousordinary/p/setsubun?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=2q0akd
#FolkloreSunday #JapaneseFolklore #setsubun #folklore #japan #yokai @folklore
THE ORIGINS OF SETSUBUN
Setsubun ushered in the first season of the new year. It was a period when the boundaries between our world and the spirit world grew weak, and so people took care to make sure to drive away any spirits that might have wandered into the home.
SETSUBUN
Setsubun (節分), which typically falls on February 2nd or 3rd, marks the beginning of spring in the old lunar calendar.
"Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!"
"Devils out! Fortune in!"
(鬼は外!福は内!)
Gathering lucky beans, 'fukumame' (福豆), it's time to drive away misfortune for another year.
More than just symbolising greed, anger and ignorance, the oni also embody ill fortune and impurity.
Before the dance the red 'leader' oni blesses worshippers, taking on their 'klesha'.
When the demons are finally chased away and cast out, they take everyone's bad luck with them.
DANCING DEMONS
One of Setsubun's (節分) liveliest festivals takes place at the small temple of Rozan-ji (廬山寺).
At 3pm three oni (one red, one green, one black) appear before the main hall. Clasping flaming torches and mean-looking weapons, they begin a slow and stomping dance!
