[What is Setsubun] Why do demons come? Why sow beans? Learn the origin and enjoy Setsubun even more.
Speaking of Setsubun, it has become a well-established event to throw beans and chase away demons while singing, "Demons are outside, happiness is inside."
Do you know the origin of Setsubun?
Many people may not know why demons come during Setsubun or why beans are thrown to scare them away.
Here, we will explain the origin of Setsubun in detail and give you some beneficial "bean" knowledge to help you enjoy Setsubun even more.
A)
What is Setsubun?
Originally, Setsubun was held not only on February 3rd but also four times a year: the day before the first day of spring, the first day of summer, the first day of autumn and the first day of winter.
The literal meaning of "Setsubun" was initially used to mean "the division of the seasons".
When the lunar calendar was used, spring was considered the beginning of the year, and the first day of spring, Setsubun, was given more importance than other Setsubuns, but over time, the word came to refer to the spring season.
Please note that the first day of spring changes depending on the position of the sun and the earth, so it does not necessarily fall on February 4th every year.
In 2021, February 3rd will be the first spring day for the first time in 124 years, so Setsubun has also been moved to February 2nd.
B)
Why do we throw beans on Setsubun?
How did the custom of throwing beans on Setsubun come about?
It is said to have originated from the imperial court event of "Tsuina".
During the Heian period(794 - 1180), "Tsuina" was a ritual by Onmyoji to exorcise and purify the previous year's bad luck, misfortune and evil spirits and pray for good health in the New Year.
At that time, the memorial service was held on New Year's Eve.
In other words, according to the current calendar, it is Setsubun, the spring season.
In the Edo period(1603 - 1868), "Tsuina" disappeared, but it became popular among ordinary people as an event to ward off demons and pray for good health by throwing beans, which can be used to slay monsters.
C)
What is the demon that comes to Setsubun?
The reason why demons are the target of bean-throwing comes from Buddhist ideas.
Demons are said to be "symbols of earthly desires in the human heart", and the following five colours of demons represent earthly desires.
Red demon: desire, craving
Blue demon: hatred, anger, malice
Green Demon: Unhealthy, sleepy, lack of motivation, neglect
Black demon: Complaining, contradictory words and actions, mistrust
Yellow Demon (White Demon): Regret, spoilage, self-centredness, vain heart
In ancient times, people believed demons were responsible for disasters and natural phenomena beyond human understanding. Because demons were more familiar to people than they are today, they also compared earthly desires to demons.
They threw beans at the demons, their earthly desires, to drive them away and welcome the New Year with a refreshing feeling.
D)
Foods associated with setsubun
Beans
Eat one bean more than your age to drive away demons.
When you get older and can't eat as many beans as your age, it's a good idea to drink them as a lucky tea.
It is said that if you put aromatic roasted beans in a cup of hot water, add pickled plums, salted seaweed and hot water and drink it, it will be the same as eating them.
It is said that adding three beans brings good luck, but you can also add more than you can eat.
E)
Ehomaki
Originally from the Kansai region, Ehomaki has become famous nationwide in recent years and can be found in supermarkets and convenience stores.
It is said to bring good luck if you eat it with your cheeks facing the excellent direction of the year.
Ehomaki is characterised by the fact that the toppings are not limited to seafood but can include meat, vegetables and other ingredients of your choice.
F)
Kenchinjiru soup
In the Kanto region, it is customary to eat Kenshin soup during Setsubun.
This dish fries root vegetables such as daikon radish, carrots, burdock, Konnyaku, and tofu in sesame oil, simmered in dashi stock and seasoned with soy sauce.
It is said that the origin of this dish comes from the idea of warming the body with soup to survive the bitter cold.
G)
Soba
When we think of soba, we have an image of eating it on New Year's Eve, but according to the lunar calendar, the first day of spring is the New Year, and the day before Setsubun, which falls on New Year's Eve, means that soba has been eaten since the Edo period.
It is called "Setsubun soba" instead of "Toshikoshi soba". There seems to be a custom of eating it in parts of Shimane Prefecture and Nagano Prefecture.
H)
We introduced the origin of Setsubun and the foods associated with it.
Interestingly, the food associated with Setsubun varies from region to region.
If you know the origin and legends of Setsubun, you will be able to enjoy Setsubun more than ever.
[What is Setsubun] Why do demons come? Why sow beans? Learn the origin and enjoy Setsubun even more.
What many people don't know about "Setsubun": The true meaning you need to know
https://haa.athuman.com/media/japanese/culture/1908/
Add info No1)
Festivals in 2023: Major festivals in Tokyo and other parts of Japan
https://www.gotokyo.org/jp/story/guide/the-best-festivals-in-tokyo-and-japan/index.html
February
Setsubun is a traditional event held throughout Japan at the end of winter, and it is generally believed that throwing beans is used to drive away evil spirits and bring good luck. Throwing beans at demons (mamemaki) is a favourite event of children all over Japan. Recommended temples and shrines where Setsubun events are held include Okunitama Shrine, Sensoji Temple and Zojoji Temple (Sensoji Temple is said to have no demons and is unique in that it does not sing "Oni wa Soto(Get out, demons!)" the customary chant for the bean-throwing ceremony).
"Get out, demons!"
"Dear spirits of Happiness, please stay at home."
Add info No2)
Kazuhiko Komatsu, a 40-year yokai researcher: "People have entrusted yokai with various meanings." Why are China and Korea so envious? Why are China and South Korea jealous of yokai?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIjyIMrsPBQ&t=918s
You don't notice it, but it could lurk next to you...
The Kamakura period (1185-1333) was the first period of samurai rule after the Genpei wars. During this period, some emaki themes became popularly depicted in scrolls. These are the 'yokai', which are still very familiar to Japanese people today.
The Tengu, familiar to everyone, was given a concrete image at this time. At the same time, the Heike Monogatari (Tales of the Heike) features yokai such as the familiar Nue and the giant, man-eating Tsuchigumo (ground spider) in the Jutsu Kaisen (War of the Heike). Even in East Asia, there are almost no paintings depicting yokai in China or Korea, and Kazuhiko Komatsu, a leading yokai researcher, stresses the importance of yokai studies: "Without an understanding of yokai culture, it is impossible to understand Japanese culture in depth.
Why were so many Yokai depicted in Japan? What social changes and mental structures were behind the spread of Yokai culture? Why is Yokai still familiar to us today, when science has developed and rational thinking has become widespread? Yoichi Ochiai explores the abysmal world of the Yokai, which continues to attract people despite its symbolic presence of fear and anxiety.
Do you know about the mysterious monster "Nue"? Introducing its cry, appearance, and the works that appear in it.
https://intojapanwaraku.com/rock/culture-rock/9579/
Yōkai (strange apparition)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Y%C5%8Dkai
