Families in Japan throw roasted soybeans today to drive away evil spirits for the year
As winter turns to spring, Japanese households participate in the lively ritual of Setsubun, throwing roasted soybeans to banish bad luck and welcome a year of health and prosperity.
Setsubun is a vibrant Japanese festival held the day before the beginning of spring according to the lunar calendar. Families perform 'mamemaki,' where they scatter roasted soybeans while shouting for fortune to enter and demons to leave. Often, a family member wears a terrifying ogre mask to represent the 'oni,' or evil spirits, being driven away.
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