Latest newsletter: "bean scattering"
March 07, 2019Here is a Haikai, Japanese traditional poem, written by a Japanese poet called SHIDA Baya in 17c.
"Mame torite Waremo kokorono Oni utan."
Interpretation: I shall grab the roasted soya beans to drive out "Oni" who lives in my mind.
The four dates dividing the seasons on the Traditional East Asian lunisolar calendars are called Risshun (立春the beginning of spring), Rikka (立夏the beginning of summer), Risshu? (立秋the beginning of autumn) and Ritto (立冬the beginning of winter). Risshun is regarded as an important one because spring comes first in the New Year. And also, on the third of February which is Risshun eve, the Setsubun event, well known as "bean scattering", is held. During the event, roasted soybeans are thrown out of the door or at an Oni (Japanese traditional demon) who is usually a member of the family wearing a mask and pretending to be an Oni. While scattering the beans, people say "Demons out! Luck in! (Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!) ". And after that, they eat the same number of the beans as their age (or one extra in some parts of Japan). How come people started to scatter the beans onto Oni during this season?
Read the full article:
Driving away evil sprits at the beginning of spring: "bean scattering"
Translation by: Hitomi Kochi, reviewed by Chan Yee Ting
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