Setsubun: Japan’s Seasonal Festival to Chase Away Evil and Welcome Good Fortune
What if you could drive away bad luck with a handful of beans—and welcome good fortune with a single bite of sushi?
Every year in early February, people across Japan celebrate Setsubun, a vibrant and symbolic tradition that marks the seasonal shift from winter to spring. With dramatic bean-throwing rituals, oni masks, and lucky sushi rolls called eho-maki, this centuries-old custom blends spiritual purification with playful fun for all ages.
More than just a quirky festival, Setsubun offers a powerful reminder of renewal, protection, and the joy of embracing change with open hearts—and open doors.
The Origins and Evolution of Setsubun
What Does “Setsubun” Mean?
Literally translating to “seasonal division,” Setsubun originally marked the final day of each season. In the lunar calendar, Risshun was considered the start of the new year, and Setsubun became particularly associated with this seasonal turning point. As such, it developed into an occasion to cleanse away misfortune from the past year and start anew with fresh hopes and good fortune.
From Court Ceremonies to Common Customs
The origins of Setsubun lie in an ancient Chinese ritual known as Tsuina—a purification ceremony introduced to Japan during the Nara period (710–794). Initially practiced at the Imperial Court, it gradually became popular among the general public during the Heian and Edo periods, evolving into the lively and symbolic celebration known today.
Traditional Rituals and Their Symbolism
Mame-maki (Bean-Throwing): Banishing Evil Spirits
At the heart of Setsubun is mame-maki, or bean-throwing. Participants toss roasted soybeans (fukumame) both inside and outside their homes while chanting:
“Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi”
(Demons out, good fortune in!)
Key points about this custom:
- Traditionally, the Toshi-otoko or Toshi-onna (those born under the zodiac sign of the current year) throw the beans.
- Roasted, not raw, beans are used to prevent the growth of spiritual “impurities.”
- People often eat beans equal to their age (or age +1) to ensure good health and longevity.
Eho-maki: A Tasty Wish for Prosperity
In recent decades, eho-maki (a thick sushi roll) has become a popular Setsubun food tradition, especially promoted by supermarkets and convenience stores across Japan.
- You must eat the whole roll in silence, while facing the year’s lucky direction (eho), as determined by the Toshitokujin, the deity of good fortune.
- These rolls typically contain seven ingredients, symbolizing the Seven Lucky Gods (Shichifukujin).
- Regional and family variations may influence the fillings, but the focus remains on inviting wealth, health, and happiness.
Hiragi-Iwashi: Nature’s Spiky and Smelly Guardian
In some areas, households place a small talisman at their entrance made of a holly branch and a sardine head. This hiragi-iwashi is believed to deter evil spirits—the holly's thorns and the fish’s odor acting as powerful repellents.
Although less common today, this practice still survives in rural Japan and as part of local folklore.
Modern Celebrations of Setsubun
Public Festivals at Temples and Shrines
Many temples and shrines across Japan hold large-scale Setsubun festivals, where celebrities, sumo wrestlers, and priests participate in mame-maki events.
- Notable locations include Asakusa Temple (Tokyo), Narita-san Shinsho-ji (Chiba), and Yoshida Shrine (Kyoto).
- These public ceremonies often feature performances, prayers for prosperity, and festive atmospheres attracting both locals and tourists.
Many people collect the scattered beans as souvenirs or keep them at home as lucky charms.
Family-Friendly Fun and Creative Foods
In modern homes and schools, Setsubun is a joyful, educational experience:
- Children often wear oni masks, and family members pretend to be demons for the bean-throwing.
- Families enjoy custom Setsubun-themed bentos, oni-shaped sweets, or even eho-roll cakes as festive treats.
- In kindergartens, playful reenactments help pass down cultural knowledge to the next generation.
Setsubun’s Cultural Value in Contemporary Japan
More than just a fun tradition, Setsubun carries deep cultural meaning. It reflects Japan’s enduring respect for seasonal transitions, the power of symbolic purification, and the desire to protect family and home from unseen misfortune.
Whether through ancient rituals or modern adaptations, Setsubun reminds us to clear away negativity, embrace seasonal change, and step into the year ahead with optimism and harmony.