Setsubun (節分), Risshun (立春), bean throwing day: February 3rd
Hello f-list,
let's not talk about the latest horror stories that are going on in my life now.
In this entry I just want to talk about the "bean throwing day" in Japan which was 2 days ago on February 3rd.
First of all that day is not a national holiday. But what exactly happens on that day?
You'll see Japanese people throwing beans out of their doors and windows or at somebody wearing a demon's mask while shouting some Japanese words.
Weird? Well ... maybe, but it's also a lot of fun.
We did it at my school, too. We didn't have anybody to perform as demon, so we just went to every single window and door, opened it and threw out a bunch of roasted soybeans (irimame: 炒り豆) while shouting "oni ha soto!" (鬼は外! Demons out!). Then you also throw a bunch of beans inside the room and shout "fuku ha uchi!" (福は内!: Luck in!). It was really a LOT of fun (and a good distraction for me).
After that you eat some roasted beans. The number is fixed, though. You have to eat the exact number of your current age (in my case 28 beans). While I started counting, it became kind of frustrating with "15+" .... if you really have to count until 28 you realize how old you actually are ;____________; .......
Also, on this day you eat makizushi (usually as dinner), but don't cut it. You have to eat the whole thing while facing a specific direction. This year it was north-east, I think. My coworker brought a compass and a small makizushi roll for me. She told me to eat it while facing the direction. You're not allowed to speak while doing so. This will bring you luck. I hope it's true. I really need luck right now.
I didn't take any photos, sorry.
When I was about to leave work, the wife of my boss gave me a huge makizushi roll as present. As it was already past 10pm, I decided to eat it the next day and cut it, too. I already had my Setsubun makizushi properly anyway.
So here are at least pics of my lunch the next day:
Alright, that's all.
Bean throwing day is really a lot of fun :)
Bye~bu (^-^)/