Setsubun is on February 3rd this year, and there is a neat site explaining why you better rush down to the supermarket right this very minute and buy those special beans before your neighbour gets the last bag.
By Steve Renshaw and Saori Ihara
February, 2000
On February 3rd 2000, Setsubun will be celebrated throughout Japan. Falling at the end of the period defined by the solar principal term Daikan (Severe Cold), Setsubun occurs one day before the sectional term Risshun (Spring Begins). The setsu of Setsubun (literally "sectional separation") originally referred to the eve of any of the 24 divisions of the solar year (see The Lunar Calendar in Japan for an explanation of these divisions). However, the Setsubun associated with "Spring Begins" gained significance as a symbol of Toshi Koshi (year passing) or Jyo Jitsu (accepting the old year) by marking the completion of the cycle of the 24 divisions of the solar year. Only this Setsubun is still marked on the official calendar. Setsubun achieved the status of an imperial event and took on symbolic and ritual significance relative to its association with prospects for a "returning sun", associated climatic change, renewal of body and mind, expulsion of evil, symbolic rebirth, and preparation for the coming planting season. Customs surrounding this day apparently date as early as the Ming Dynasty in China, and in Japanese form, began to take shape in the Muromachi Era (1392-1573), that era of Japanese history in which the country saw little internal peace but in which such customs as tea ceremony and other genteel arts and practices so often associated with Japan developed.
Setsubun generally always precedes the Lunar New Year; in the ancient ideal, it was often referred to as New Year's Eve. In 2008, solar and lunar cycles coincided enough to make the ideal almost real: February 4 marked Risshun (Spring Begins), and February 7 was the lunar New Year in China and Japan. In 2012, Setsubun occurred after the lunar New Year (January 23), thus making "New Year's Eve" somewhat late.
Setsubun has been celebrated in many ways, but perhaps the most common custom found throughout Japan is the traditional Mame Maki or the scattering/throwing of beans (mame) to chase away the evil oni (ogres, evil spirits, as depicted in the illustration which heads this article). In some ritual forms, the Toshi Otoko [literally "year man" but referring either to the "man of the house" or to men who are born in the animal sign of the coming year (rabbit for the year 2011)] will throw mame within the house or at someone perhaps dressed as oni and repeat the saying Oni wa Soto; Fuku wa Uchi (Get out Ogre! Come in Happiness!). After the ritual throwing of the beans, family members may pick up the number of beans corresponding to their age; eating these brings assurance of good fortune in the coming year. These days, of course, it is not uncommon to see children dressed in masks of oni, others madly throwing beans, and all gleefully shouting for evil to hit the road. Prominent temples in Japan may also find monks or celebrities showering large crowds of people with mame to ward off spirits and welcome the renewal of the coming New Year.
Depiction of an Edo Era celebration of Setsubun. The Toshi Otoko (left) throws beans about family members of the house to chase away evil. (From Sasama, 1995)
Several stories relate to the origin of throwing beans at Setsubun. Still, perhaps one of the most famous can be seen in a Kyougen (No Comedy) performed at Mibu Temple in Kyoto. Roughly translating (and perhaps with a bit of poetic license), the play's plot goes something like this: One day, an ogre disguised himself and came to the house of an old widow. He possessed a magic mallet and fashioned a beautiful kimono with it. Temptation got the best of the old widow, and she succumbed to its beauty. She plotted to steal it away from the ogre by getting him drunk. Not satisfied with just the kimono, she thought she would also get the magic mallet. Surprised by the abrasive greed of the old woman, the ogre revealed his true self. So scared, the old widow got hysterical and started throwing the first thing handy, a bunch of beans she had on hand. They must have hurt because the ogre fled the scene, leaving the widow without her greedy desires but nonetheless wiser and healthier.
Other celebrations of Setsubun involve eating Nori Maki, a special sushi roll. Particularly in Western Japan, many may face a "lucky direction" (in geomantic form) and try to eat the entire sushi roll without saying a word. Those who can accomplish this feat (the roll is about 20 cm long) are promised luck with their business, longevity, and freedom from illness. In Osaka, where this tradition originated, some people say the practice started when a young Geisha ate the tasty delicacy to ensure she would be with her favourite lover in the coming year. In some areas, the Nori Maki is made with a stuffing of seven colours representing Shichi Fukujin (seven gods of happiness). These gods can be seen in the "happiness beans" illustration below.
Fuku Mame (Happiness Beans) are sold at Setsubun. Beans such as these may chase many an ogre away. This brand also sports images of Shichi Fukujin (the Japanese seven gods of happiness) sailing merrily along.
On the night of Setsubun, many Japanese decorate a holy tree in front of their houses with a head of a sardine, a clove of garlic, or an onion. Such talismans are designed to keep the one away as the New Year approaches (though the neighbour's cat may not be so intimidated). Oni are said to be stung by the leaf of the holy tree (a vitalistic Shinto symbol in its own right) and thus keep their distance from the home for the coming year.
In more ancient times, with a Chinese-based lunar calendar superimposed on indigenous ritual, the seasonal significance of Setsubun was more pronounced, incorporating traditional values of lineality, optimism, and vitality in ritual behaviour and in ritual objects themselves. Beans, seeds, the source of life... rice rolled in seaweed, fruits of land and sea... all used to ward off coming evil and ensure future productivity... objects whose ingestion assured vitality and purification. The centrality of this "last event of the year" and its implication for activities of a culture dependent upon an agrarian and marine base still holds at least symbolic significance for many in Japan.
These days, because of its solar orientation, Setsubun is one of the few festivals celebrated in Japan relative to actual astronomical reckoning, although most young Japanese have no idea that there is any incongruence throwing beans on a day occurring over a month past their memory of a Gregorian New Year. Of course, when a lunisolar calendar was used, another source of confusion regarding Setsubun occurred. As mentioned in our article on The Lunar Calendar in Japan, years with leap months could contain 383-385 days. "Leap" years could thus often have 2 "Spring Begins", one at the beginning of the year and another at the end or 12th month. The confusion of having two "New Year's Eves" was eloquently described by famed poet Motokata Arihara in Kokinshu (see Watanabe, 1994), although our translation does not do justice to his dry wit:
Before the year is over
"Spring Begins" comes
The year is not over
It is still the year
Oni wa Soto! Fuku wa Uchi!
- Campbell, A., D.S. Noble, et al. (1993) Japan; An Illustrated Encyclopedia. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.
- Nojiri, H. (1992) Hoshi Sanbyaku Rokujyu Go Ya (365 Starry Nights). Tokyo: Kouseisha Kouseikaku.
- Okada, Y. and S. Akune (1993) Gendai Koyomi Yomikaki Jiten (Modern Calendar Dictionary). Tokyo: Kashiwa Shoubou.
- Sasama, Y. (1995) Fukugen; Edo Seikatsu Zuroku (Restorations; Picture Book of Edo Era Life). Tokyo: Kashiwa Shobou.
- Sasama, Y. (1992) Shiryou; Nihon Rekishi Zuroku (References; Japanese Historical Illustrations). Tokyo: Kashiwa Shobou.
- Shinmura, I. ed. (1994) Koujien (Japanese Etymological Dictionary). Tokyo: Iwanami Shoten.
- Watanabe, T. (1994) Koyomi Nyumon; Koyomi no Subete (Introduction to the Calendar; All about the Calendar). Tokyo, Yuzankaku.
