Setsubun means the separation of season, and occurs on the day before the change of
each season. In Japan, it's popularly referred to as the day before the beginning of spring,
as it is considered the most important of the seasonal changes. This year it occurs on
today, 3rd February.
In modern day Japan, people celebrate setsubun by going to the temples and shrines to
make prayers for the new year. (new year prayers are made on Oshogatsu お正月, or 1st
January as well) A special ceremony, Mamemaki 豆撒き, 'throwing of beans' is also conducted
as a gesture to get rid of bad luck and receive good fortune. Temples and shrines nowadays
like to invite celebrities (drama actors and actresses, singers, sumo wrestlers etc.) to
conduct Mamemaki as they draw large crowds to participate in the celebrations.
The following are photographed at a shrine near where I stay.
Setsubun
節分
at
Okunitama Shrine
大国魂神社
Lanterns bearing the names of sponsors for the shrine's Setsubun celebration.
A common practice in Japan, such lantern stands are set up along the main path
leading to the shrine during special celebrations.
A celebration will never be complete without outdoor bazaars
filled with stalls selling Japanese snacks.
each season. In Japan, it's popularly referred to as the day before the beginning of spring,
as it is considered the most important of the seasonal changes. This year it occurs on
today, 3rd February.
In modern day Japan, people celebrate setsubun by going to the temples and shrines to
make prayers for the new year. (new year prayers are made on Oshogatsu お正月, or 1st
January as well) A special ceremony, Mamemaki 豆撒き, 'throwing of beans' is also conducted
as a gesture to get rid of bad luck and receive good fortune. Temples and shrines nowadays
like to invite celebrities (drama actors and actresses, singers, sumo wrestlers etc.) to
conduct Mamemaki as they draw large crowds to participate in the celebrations.
The following are photographed at a shrine near where I stay.
Setsubun
節分
at
Okunitama Shrine
大国魂神社
Lanterns bearing the names of sponsors for the shrine's Setsubun celebration.
A common practice in Japan, such lantern stands are set up along the main path
leading to the shrine during special celebrations.
A celebration will never be complete without outdoor bazaars
filled with stalls selling Japanese snacks.