JAPN Setsubun Bean Throwing: Warding Off Demons in February
Setsubun Bean Throwing: Warding Off Demons in February
The Tradition
Setsubun falls on February 3 (the day before the start of spring in the traditional calendar) and involves throwing roasted soybeans while chanting oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi (demons out, fortune in) to drive away evil spirits and welcome good luck for the coming year. At home, a family member wears an oni (demon) mask while others throw beans at them. At temples and shrines, celebrities, sumo wrestlers, and local dignitaries throw beans and small wrapped gifts from elevated platforms to crowds below.
Eating the number of beans equal to your age plus one ensures good health for the year. Ehomaki, an uncut sushi roll eaten while facing the year’s lucky direction in silence, has become a commercial Setsubun tradition promoted heavily by convenience stores and supermarkets since the 1990s. The roll must be eaten in one continuous go without speaking. The lucky direction changes annually based on the Chinese zodiac. Setsubun at major temples like Sensoji in Asakusa and Yoshida Shrine in Kyoto draws large crowds for the bean-throwing ceremonies.
Where to Watch
Naritasan Shinshoji Temple near Narita Airport holds one of the largest setsubun events, with celebrities and sumo wrestlers throwing beans from the main hall steps. Sensoji in Asakusa, Zojoji in Tokyo, and Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto all hold public ceremonies. Arriving an hour before the scheduled throwing time secures a position within catching range.
The Setsubun Ritual
Setsubun, celebrated on February 3, marks the last day of winter in the traditional calendar. The core ritual involves throwing roasted soybeans (mame) at someone wearing an oni (demon) mask while shouting “Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!” (Demons out! Fortune in!). At home, the eldest family member or the person whose zodiac year it is throws the beans through an open door or window. At temples and shrines, celebrities and sumo wrestlers participate in massive bean-throwing ceremonies (mame-maki) from elevated stages to crowds of hundreds. Sensoji in Tokyo, Naritasan in Chiba, and Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto hold the most spectacular events. The tradition of eating one bean for each year of your age (plus one for the coming year) brings good health. The eho-maki tradition of eating an uncut sushi roll while facing the year’s lucky direction in silence has been heavily promoted by convenience stores and sushi restaurants since the 1990s, becoming a nationwide custom driven by commercial marketing of seasonal food.
Ehomaki: The Lucky Direction Sushi Roll
Alongside mamemaki (bean throwing), the practice of eating ehomaki (lucky direction sushi roll) on Setsubun has exploded in popularity since the 2000s, driven largely by convenience store and supermarket marketing. The ehomaki is a thick, uncut maki-zushi roll typically containing seven ingredients (representing the seven lucky gods, shichi-fukujin): kanpyo (dried gourd), shiitake mushroom, egg, eel, denbu (sweet fish flakes), cucumber, and sometimes shrimp. The ritual requires eating the entire roll in silence while facing the lucky compass direction for that year (determined by the Chinese zodiac cycle) and making a wish. The direction changes annually: check konbini promotional materials for the current year’s ehou (lucky direction).
The bean-throwing tradition extends beyond homes to major temple and shrine events. Sensoji in Asakusa, Naritasan Shinshoji in Chiba, and Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto hold public Setsubun ceremonies where celebrities, sumo wrestlers, and community leaders throw beans and small prizes from elevated stages to crowds of hundreds. Yoshida Shrine in Kyoto performs a particularly elaborate Setsubun ceremony with oni (demon) costumes and a fire ritual (hi no matsuri) in the evening that draws spectators from across the city. Children at schools and kindergartens celebrate by wearing oni masks and throwing beans at teachers dressed as demons, creating one of the school year’s most entertaining events.
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