{"id":778,"date":"2016-02-03T07:00:52","date_gmt":"2016-02-02T22:00:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=778"},"modified":"2024-07-10T09:03:23","modified_gmt":"2024-07-10T00:03:23","slug":"expelling-demons-bringing-new-years-good-luck","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/expelling-demons-bringing-new-years-good-luck\/","title":{"rendered":"Setsubun: Expelling Demons and Bringing in the New Year\u2019s Good Luck!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Speaking of Setsubun (\u7bc0\u5206), or a term that literally means dividing seasons, many Japanese would recall their childhood memories of <em><strong>mamemaki<\/strong> <\/em>(\u8c46\u307e\u304d): a game-like, family event that involves scattering beans and chanting \u201c\u9b3c\u306f\u5916! \u798f\u306f\u5185!\u201d (\u201cEvil out! Luck in!\u201d) around the house during this time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"543\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29180311\/setsubun_setsubun.png\" alt=\"the kanji of setsubun\" class=\"wp-image-77934\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29180311\/setsubun_setsubun.png 800w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29180311\/setsubun_setsubun-500x339.png 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption>&#8220;Setsubun&#8221; kanji.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"740\" height=\"798\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29180231\/setsubun_akaoni_mame.png\" alt=\"A demon running because of beans\" data-id=\"77931\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29180231\/setsubun_akaoni_mame.png\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/expelling-demons-bringing-new-years-good-luck\/setsubun_akaoni_mame\/\" class=\"wp-image-77931\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29180231\/setsubun_akaoni_mame.png 740w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29180231\/setsubun_akaoni_mame-464x500.png 464w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29180246\/setsubun_kodomo.png\" alt=\"A child eating beans\" data-id=\"77933\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29180246\/setsubun_kodomo.png\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/expelling-demons-bringing-new-years-good-luck\/setsubun_kodomo\/\" class=\"wp-image-77933\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29180246\/setsubun_kodomo.png 684w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29180246\/setsubun_kodomo-428x500.png 428w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 684px) 100vw, 684px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption\">Some images representing the Setsubun tradition<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is Setsubun?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Even many Japanese wonders <strong>what is the relationship between beans and the seasonal division actually is.<\/strong> While the seasonal division can trace its origin back to the Chinese lunar calendar, the beans scattering ritual is believed to be an original Japanese custom that was derived from past customs and rituals in the Imperial Palace and was adopted by the masses around the 15th century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/06162747\/setsubun-7317-min-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Setsubun celebration in a temple\" class=\"wp-image-83794\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/06162747\/setsubun-7317-min-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/06162747\/setsubun-7317-min-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/06162747\/setsubun-7317-min-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/06162747\/setsubun-7317-min-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/06162747\/setsubun-7317-min.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Setsubun is celebrated in the houses and temples or shrines \u00a9 Joachim Ducos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Setsubun generally falls on <strong>February 3d<\/strong>, the day before the official arrival of spring depending on the year. Evil \u2013 or bad luck such as sickness in this context \u2013<strong> is thought to be able to sneak in more easily at the turn of each season<\/strong>, so people in the past began various customs to try chasing it away. Mamemaki has become the most commonly practiced among these customs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mamemaki&#8217;s Ritual<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Mamemaki<\/em> is an event that takes place on the night of Setsubun. <strong>During this time the head of the household<\/strong> (father or the oldest son) <strong>traditionally tosses beans out of opened windows and doors<\/strong> <strong>of the house <\/strong>and chants \u201c\u9b3c\u306f\u5916!\u201d (&#8220;oni wa soto!&#8221;), then close them and chant \u201c\u798f\u306f\u5185!\u201d (\u201cfuku wa uchi!\u201d). Starting from the center of the house, the tossing will end at the entrance hallway to symbolically chase the evil out of the house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In recent years, the custom has evolved into having the father wear a mask that resembles an <em>oni<\/em> (\u9b3c &#8211; demon), and have beans thrown at him by family members (usually children) who are singing the chant. A more precise version of \u201cchasing away\u201d the evil!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/dsc09689.jpg\" alt=\"masks of the setsubun oni\" class=\"wp-image-784\" srcset=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/dsc09689.jpg 500w, https:\/\/voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/dsc09689-433x650.jpg 433w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><figcaption>Oni masks for Setsubun<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Setsubun, a tradition with beans<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As for the reason for using beans instead of anything else to fight the evil (why not something stronger, like rocks?). <strong>The pronunciation of beans, <em>mame<\/em> (\u8c46), can be the same as that of \u201ceyes of the devil\u201d<\/strong> (\u9b54\u76ee, ma-me), as well as \u201cto expel the devil\u201d (\u9b54\u6ec5, ma-me). Hence why Japanese throw beans at the eyes of the devil to expel evil!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/dsc09688.jpg\" alt=\"Special beans for the celebration\" class=\"wp-image-783\" srcset=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/dsc09688.jpg 750w, https:\/\/voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/dsc09688-650x433.jpg 650w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><figcaption>Beans ready to be thrown to the <em>oni<\/em> during Setsubun<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Another (friendlier) version is that <strong>beans are readily available and are easy to clean up when the ritual is done. <\/strong>For this reason and depending on the region, you may find families using peanuts or other alternatives as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"678\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29181726\/geisha_setsubun-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"Geishas also celebrate setsubun\" data-id=\"77937\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29181726\/geisha_setsubun.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/expelling-demons-bringing-new-years-good-luck\/geisha_setsubun\/\" class=\"wp-image-77937\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29181726\/geisha_setsubun-1024x678.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29181726\/geisha_setsubun-500x331.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29181726\/geisha_setsubun-1536x1017.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29181726\/geisha_setsubun.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Setsubun&#8217;s tradition is really popular between geisha too \u00a9 <a aria-label=\"sk (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/irisphotos\/8445116252\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">sk<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/06163909\/setsubun-7326-min-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"people throwing beans \" data-id=\"83800\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/06163909\/setsubun-7326-min-scaled.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/expelling-demons-bringing-new-years-good-luck\/setsubun-7326-min\/\" class=\"wp-image-83800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/06163909\/setsubun-7326-min-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/06163909\/setsubun-7326-min-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/06163909\/setsubun-7326-min-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/06163909\/setsubun-7326-min-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/06163909\/setsubun-7326-min-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/06163909\/setsubun-7326-min-scaled.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">People throwing beans \u00a9 Joachim Ducos<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Important points to have in mind<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For those who are tempted to try the custom this year, <strong>there are very important points to note \u2013 or you might get adverse effects!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Don&#8217;t use &#8220;ordinary&#8221; beans&#8230;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Firstly, the beans to be used are not just any beans, but <em>fukumame<\/em> (\u798f\u8c46, \u201cgood luck beans\u201d), which are roasted soybeans.<strong> You may find them at special seasonal corners in supermarkets<\/strong>, sold in packs or in paper\/wooden square containers (\u67a1, masu). The beans must be roasted because you don\u2019t want them \u2013 meaning the bad luck \u2013 to take root after you have scattered them around the house!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/06163234\/fukumame_setsubun-1.jpg\" alt=\"Roasted beans during Setsubun\" data-id=\"83796\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/06163234\/fukumame_setsubun-1.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/expelling-demons-bringing-new-years-good-luck\/100203_2003-2\/\" class=\"wp-image-83796\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/06163234\/fukumame_setsubun-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/06163234\/fukumame_setsubun-1-500x300.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Roasted beans during Setsubun<br> \u00a9 <a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/asobitsuchiya\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"ek-link\"> asobi tsuchiya<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"686\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29183124\/fukumame_setsubun-1024x686.jpg\" alt=\"you can buy fukumame in shops\" data-id=\"77942\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29183124\/fukumame_setsubun.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/expelling-demons-bringing-new-years-good-luck\/fukumame_setsubun\/\" class=\"wp-image-77942\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29183124\/fukumame_setsubun-1024x686.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29183124\/fukumame_setsubun-500x335.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29183124\/fukumame_setsubun-1536x1028.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29183124\/fukumame_setsubun-900x604.jpg 900w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29183124\/fukumame_setsubun-600x403.jpg 600w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29183124\/fukumame_setsubun-400x269.jpg 400w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29183124\/fukumame_setsubun.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\"><em>Fukumame<\/em>&nbsp;are special beans \u00a9<a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/bonguri\/\">Bong Grit<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The ritual should be done at night<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Secondly, <strong>the ritual has to take place at night, as evil prevails in darkness<\/strong>. While it is the head of the household who conducts the ritual, all family members should gather and participate. We do not want to miss out on anyone, do we?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29184122\/dog_Setsubun-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Dog with the oni mask\" data-id=\"77945\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29184122\/dog_Setsubun.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/expelling-demons-bringing-new-years-good-luck\/dog_setsubun\/\" class=\"wp-image-77945\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29184122\/dog_Setsubun-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29184122\/dog_Setsubun-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29184122\/dog_Setsubun-50x50.jpg 50w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29184122\/dog_Setsubun-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29184122\/dog_Setsubun-2048x2048.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29184122\/dog_Setsubun-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29184122\/dog_Setsubun-140x140.jpg 140w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29184122\/dog_Setsubun-350x350.jpg 350w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29184122\/dog_Setsubun-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29184122\/dog_Setsubun-800x800.jpg 800w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29184122\/dog_Setsubun.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Even dogs can participate! \u00a9 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/hitokiri\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">Ryan Latta<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/06163549\/oni_child-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Child enjoying Setsubun\" data-id=\"83797\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/06163549\/oni_child.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/expelling-demons-bringing-new-years-good-luck\/oni_child\/\" class=\"wp-image-83797\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/06163549\/oni_child-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/06163549\/oni_child-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/06163549\/oni_child-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/06163549\/oni_child.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Children enjoy a lot this celebration \u00a9 <a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/jmettraux\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"ek-link\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/jmettraux\/\" class=\"ek-link\">jmettraux<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Not just Scattering, but Eating!<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>After scattering, <strong>each family member should eat the number of beans according to his\/her age<\/strong>, plus one more for the new year, to welcome good luck. <strong>You could alternatively make a <em>fukucha<\/em><\/strong> (\u798f\u8336, \u201cgood luck tea\u201d) <strong>with the <em>fukumame<\/em><\/strong><em>,<\/em> considering eating a large number of roasted beans might not be desirable for the older members of the family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-5 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/dsc09685.jpg\" alt=\"Taking part in setubun is a good way for foreigners to get to know a Japanese distinct culture's aspect\" data-id=\"780\" class=\"wp-image-780\" srcset=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/dsc09685.jpg 750w, https:\/\/voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/dsc09685-650x433.jpg 650w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\"><em>Fukumame<\/em> prepared <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29184511\/ehomaki_setsubun.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"77948\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29184511\/ehomaki_setsubun.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/expelling-demons-bringing-new-years-good-luck\/100203_2001\/\" class=\"wp-image-77948\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29184511\/ehomaki_setsubun.jpg 800w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/29184511\/ehomaki_setsubun-500x300.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\"><em>Ehoumaki<\/em> \u00a9 <a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/asobitsuchiya\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">asobi tsuchiya<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>To make a <em>fukucha,<\/em> simply pour boiled water into a cup with the beans in it (which does not necessarily need to be the number of your age). Some people also prefer to add <em>shiokonbu<\/em> (\u5869\u6606\u5e03 &#8211; salted kelp) and <em>umeboshi<\/em> (\u6885\u5e72, pickled plum) for the taste and \u2026 even more good luck!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, it is typical <strong>to eat <em>ehoumaki<\/em><\/strong>, a type of nori-rolled sushi. If you want to know more about it, check out our article where we talk <a href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/ehoumaki-alternative-sushi-setsubun\/\" class=\"ek-link\">about this type of sushi<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:51px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether <em>mamemaki <\/em>can help you avoid getting sick or not, it is still a fun way to start the new year, especially for families with small children. So why not scatter some beans on February 3d this year to bring some joy, if not luck, to your home?<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><em><sub>Updated: 29\/1\/2021<\/sub><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Many Japanese may recall their childhood memories of mamemaki. While chanting \u201cEvil out! Luck in!\u201d beans are scattered around the house during Setsubun.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":83800,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"pgc_meta":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[24,26,2051],"tags":[2065,2109,1362],"class_list":{"0":"post-778","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-activities","8":"category-culture","9":"category-events","10":"tag-cultural-activities","11":"tag-events","12":"tag-tradition"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Setsubun: Expelling Demons and Bringing in the New Year\u2019s Good Luck!<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn about the unique tradition of the Setsubun: every February 3rd, which involves demons, and scattering around some beans.\" 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