Chasing Evil Spirits

When spring arrives on the Japanese lunar calendar, it’s open season on evil spirits.

Setsubun marks the moment when people symbolically chase away misfortune by throwing roasted fortune beans through the front doors of homes, temples, and shrines while shouting, “Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!” (“Demons out! Good fortune in!”). In some households, the beans are tossed at someone wearing a demon mask. Afterwards, participants eat the number of beans equal to their age, plus one extra for good luck in the coming year.

This year, Setsubun falls on February 3rd. Although it is not a national holiday in Japan, the tradition is widely observed throughout the country and in U.S. cities with large Japanese American communities.

Food also plays an important role in the celebration. A key custom involves eating an ehō-maki sushi roll in complete silence while facing the year’s lucky direction and making a wish for health, happiness, or success. These rolls often contain seven ingredients, such as egg, cucumber, and shiitake mushrooms, symbolizing the Seven Gods of Fortune. For good measure, some also mark the occasion by drinking warm sake with grated ginger.

The Setsubun ritual dates back hundreds of years. In the 13th century, believers burned sardine heads and wood while drumming to ward off evil spirits. Even today, some households honor these older traditions by placing a sardine head on a holly branch at their doorway. Over time, fortune beans became central to the celebration. As noted by Wikipedia, “Every household of the aristocracy and samurai class threw beans from their houses into the open air.”

Setsubun is a joyful occasion that brings families together to celebrate the end of winter and the welcoming of spring.

To all who celebrate, happy Setsubun!