“Today is Setsubun.” This is what I saw yesterday on the status bar of Facebook. Setsubun is the day before the first day of spring based on the lunar calendar. This is usually celebrated on either February 3rd or 4th every year. If spring is coming soon in other places of Japan, it is still far for us here in Hokkaido.

Japanese celebrate Setsubun by throwing soybeans either out the door or at a person wearing an Oni (demon or ogre) mask. This is done to ward off evil spirits that bring misfortune and bad health. This custom known as mamemaki was originally introduced by the Chinese during the 8th century.

I remembered our laboratory group doing this during one of our lab parties exactly 5 years ago. Three of our labmates wore the Oni masks and we threw soybeans to them.

Another tradition during Setsubun is eating beans or peanuts with the same number as your age. This is done so you will enjoy a year of good health. I did this during my afternoon break.

In the Kansai area of Japan, there is another tradition of eating uncut makizushi called ehō-maki. The grocery nearby was selling this stuff, so I bought it for my dinner. And by the way, the vendor was wearing the ogre costume.

As they say during Setsubun, “Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!” (Demons out! Luck in!).