Setsubun – Japanese Spring Cleaning Exorcism
Wednesday, February 6th, 2008Japanese Drive Devils Away in Spring Ritual
Setsubun is February 3rd and it’s kind of like Groundhog Day, New Years, and Halloween all rolled up into one. It’s a day where Japanese seek to drive Oni or Devils from their homes by throwing beans at them. Oni don’t like beans – makes them go blind apparently.
Also many temples and shrines have mami-maki which is where people throw beans and other items at gathered crowds. To catch these items is to bring you good luck all year.
This Setsubun a sudden snowstorm struck in Tokyo. A rather ominious sign as the Setsubun is a Spring Ritual and exorcising the devils is like driving Winter out. I think it was a sneak attack by the Setsubun Devils myself. However the ritual must have worked because the next morning the sun was out.
Devils Make Sneak Attack on Japanese Spring Ritual – Setsubun
Background music by Super Girl Juice:
http://www.sgchannel.com
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