Setsubun: The Day Before Spring, Demons, How to Eat Eho-Maki and Throw Your Beans

Setsubun: The Day Before Spring, Demons, How to Eat Eho-Maki and Throw Your Beans (節分: 立春、恵方巻、炒り豆、豆撒き) Setsubun 節分 On February 3rd, people in Japan celebrate Setsubun, the coming of spring. Special sushi rolls called Eho-maki (恵方巻) and eaten while facing the auspicious direction for that year. After dinner, roasted soy beans, or iri-mame are thrown out the front door of the house…
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Hatsumode: The First Visit to a Shrine of the New Year

(Japanese New Year’s Celebration) Hatsumode: The First Visit to a Shrine of the New Year (初詣) Hatsumode: The First Visit to a Shrine of the New Year Hatsumode is usually thought of as January 1st, although it can be a few days later. People visit a shrine or sometimes temple and pray for comfort and health in the new year. It is very common to see women in kimono and quite…
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