“Setsu-bunn (節分)” in Japan

Hi, How are you? We feel so cold in NY.

Family with Naoki’s birthday cake

(We didn’t make this cake and Naoki’s birthday is not

in February)

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Today’s blog is about “Setsu-bunn” of Japanese traditional culture.

The event is on February 3 or 4 in Japan.

Q:What is “Setsu-bunn”? A:This represents the seasonal division. The “Setsu-bunn” is ceremony for banishing evils and

calamities from house hold.

Q:What do we do for the “Setsu-bunn” event? A: 1. Mame-maki

A rite of throwing beans (soy beans) to force the devils

out.A lot of People do this in their houses.

A big event (Mamemaki performance) is also held at

“Narita-san Shinshou-temple(成田山新勝寺).”

It is famous in Japan. Narita’s location is in Chiba(千葉).

You probably remember Narita as the International

Airport. Don’t get confused, this event does not take

place at the airport. 2. Hiiragi-sashi

A rite to keep devils away by hanging burned sardine

fish’s heads skewered to a holly branch in front of the

house gate. This Hiiragi is leaves. The leave’s shape outline is like

sharp needle.If it is touched, it is so painful. The smoke

is painful for the eyes when the sardine is burned and

the bone is hard to eat.So It is told Hiiragi-sashi can

keep devils away. 3. Eating baked soy beans

We believe we can become more healthy if we eat the

same number of throwing beans as our age.

For example, someone who is age 10 will eat 10 beans.

A person who is age 20 will eat 20 beans. But if the age

is 50, 60, 70 years old over, you can imagine it is hard

to eat that many beans…

Family with Matcha Taiyaki

Thank you very much for reading and taking your precious time with us. See you again on our next blog.