Setsubun
Setsubun (Japanese节 分) is the traditional Japanese lunisolar calendar of the "Season's Change" and refers to the day before the start of 4 of the 24 stations (二十 四 节 気, nijūshi sekki ) of the year following the Chinese calendar. Today, the term Setsubun is used primarily for the last day of the "great cold " (大寒, Daikan ) and marks the traditional celebration of the beginning of spring (立春, risshun ), usually on the 3rd or 4th of February ( according to the Gregorian calendar).
The changes taking place on this occasion rituals that have mostly symbolic expulsion or defense Oni (Japanese demon ) on the subject will be celebrated throughout Japan in a variety of religions, although there are numerous regional variations. However, Setsubun is not one of the public holidays in Japan.
Mame -maki
The ritual sprinkling beans (豆 まき, mame -maki ) probably dates back to the Muromachi period. Here are roasted soy beans (豆, mame ) to either a disguised as a human or Oni in the house twice in one as happy and thrown twice in what has been called unfortunate direction, and with the words " Oni wa soto! ! Fuku wa uchi " (鬼 は 外 福は内, in German as: "! Demons out happiness in ") called. This is supposed to bring in luck, if the number of beans the age of the thrower plus corresponds to one and they were wrapped together with some coins in paper.
The role of the thrower (年 男, toshi otoko ) or the pitcher (年 女, toshi onna ) is generally derived from the head of the family or of an animal born in the Chinese zodiac sign of the coming year man in private households. At temples or shrines there are often several monks, priests or celebrities (like politicians, actors or athletes), which throw the beans in small bags with candy and toys, among others in the assembled crowd.
Tsuina
The Tsuina (追 傩), also known as Oni - yarai (鬼 や らい;鬼 遣い;鬼 遣) is originally derived from the Tang -temporal China custom that was traditionally celebrated on the eve of New Year. In this well-kept at shrines or temples rite, first the Kami of the participants with Saimon (祭文; prayers ) addresses. Then they distribute with dances and arrows as Oni -clad participants who seek to enter the sanctuary.
Yaikagashi
The Yaikagashi (焼 嗅が し) is a largely of out-dated in the modern tradition, in which sardine heads on the branches of the sacred shrub Hiiragi (柊; Osmanthus heterophyllus ) impaled and hung over the frame of the door. This is the Oni admission be denied into the house.
Ehōmaki
On Setsubun you eat today in Japan Ehōmaki (恵 方 巻), rice rolls (maki ) that are larger than the normal Maki, taste slightly sweet and contain several special ingredients that would never be used in normal Maki, such as Shiitake.
Ehōmaki traditionally come from Osaka and the surrounding area. 1995 Seven Eleven began selling in western Japan and 1998 in Japan. Subsequent campaigns in Combinis it became nationally popular. This corresponds to the trend, special dishes to eat only at certain times ( Osechi - Ryori New Year, eel in summer) in a survey of 2006 revealed that 92.5 % of respondents said they had heard Ehōmaki, and 54.9 % were in the year Ehōmaki at Setsubun eaten. The market in 2005 was estimated 14.4 billion yen.