February 3rd [Setsubun]
Setsubun, as the word suggests, refers to the day that separates the end of one season from the beginning of another .
Although it is well known that it is the day before the beginning of spring (February 4th), there are seasonal turning points in each of the four seasons, and Setsubun actually occurs four times a year.
◆ The four Setsubun
Beginning of Spring, Beginning of Summer, Beginning of Autumn, Beginning of Winter
Collectively known as " Shiryu ," they are set aside as seasonal turning points on the day before each season begins .
▼For more information on "Shiryuu" click here
--What are the Setsubun customs?
Since ancient times, it has been believed that "the change of seasons brings great change, plague demons bring illness and disaster to the people, and evil spirits (demons) are born." The day of the 24th division of the solar calendar, Risshun, was established as the "beginning of spring and the beginning of the season," and has been celebrated as the "beginning of the year." As you can see from this, it is the same as today's New Year's Eve. The custom of Setsubun is said to have originated from the day before the new year, with the purpose of driving away evil spirits.
It used to be an annual event held at seasonal change points such as on the four solstices and the two equinoxes, but now only the day before the beginning of spring remains as Setsubun, and the customs of throwing beans and eating ehomaki and sardines as an event to pray for good health and safety during the change of seasons remain.
Even today, these customs are performed at shrines and other places according to the calendar and each season, and it is still considered auspicious to be able to safely celebrate the Four Beginnings.
Introducing the Setsubun customs!
1. Bean Throwing: Throwing beans at demons to ward off evil spirits
People throw beans while chanting "Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi" ("Demons out, good fortune in") to ward off evil spirits.
Rice and soybeans share the same energy source and are said to have spiritual powers, so it was believed that scattering beans would ward off illness and disaster, and that eating those beans would grant them further strength.
・Soybeans used are roasted over a fire, and these beans are called " lucky beans ."
・It is said that demons come late at night (at the hour of the Ox and Tiger) , so bean throwing is done at night .
◆About how to sow beans
If cleaning is difficult ,
① Scatter in small packets or whole peanuts
② Seal any gaps in furniture that beans can get into beforehand.
3) Limiting the rooms in which beans are thrown.
[How to sow beans]
① Leave open the entrance, windows, and other doors that demons can use to escape .
②Starting from the back room, people take turns throwing beans while shouting "Oni wa soto!" (Demons out!) to drive out the demons .
③Once you've finished scattering the baton, immediately lock the door to keep the demons out and to prevent any good fortune from escaping.
◆Let's get to know demons!
When we think of Setsubun, we think of "oni" (demons), but did you know that there are five different types of oni (demons )?
The "five-colored demons" refer to the Buddhist teaching of "earthly desires," or the "five hindrances," which says that "to live a peaceful life, you must remove the five earthly desires that are blocking your mind."
Red demon : Desire, greed
Blue demon : Malice, hatred, anger
Green Demon : No motivation, lazy, sleepy, can't stop bad habits
Black demon : Doubt, complaints, contradictory thoughts, words and actions
Yellow demon (White demon): Fickleness, delusions, regret, dependency, self-centered conceit
Which demon will you exorcise?
Eat beans
It is said that by eating one more bean than your age, you pray for good health and happiness for the year, and also get rid of evil spirits from within your body. It's fine for children, but it can be a bit difficult for adults to eat as many lucky beans as their age. In that case, we recommend Fukucha tea.
To make Fukucha, put one lucky bean in a teacup, the same number as your age, and pour in hot water. You can also add it to a teapot with tea leaves to enjoy the fragrant aroma.
Using roasted soy beans will give the tea a fragrant, aromatic flavor.
You can also add plums or kelp to Fukucha to make it even more delicious.
2. Lucky direction
The lucky direction for 2024 is "northeast-east"!
Eho refers to the direction in which the God of the Year resides.
Toshigami-sama, also known as Tokutoku-jin, is the god who governs the year's fortune (financial luck and happiness). He is widely known as the god to be invited into homes during the New Year holidays.
The location of the Toshitokujin changes every year, and the lucky direction also changes each time. In the past, the lucky direction was used as a direction to bring good fortune not only when eating Ehomaki on Setsubun, but also when visiting shrines in the direction of the lucky direction for the first visit of the year, or when starting something new. Just as New Year's customs are centered around the Toshitokujin, the lucky direction was cherished by people and was considered very familiar.
◆How is the lucky direction decided?◆
The lucky direction is expressed using the direction and the ten heavenly stems, in a system called the twenty-four directions . The twenty-four directions are also used in calendars and feng shui, and are used for various purposes such as expressing time and direction.
◆The four lucky directions◆
Basically, there are only four lucky directions .
Direction of Jia = slightly east-northeast Direction of Geng = slightly west-southwest Direction of Hei = slightly south-southeast Direction of Ren = slightly north-northwest
It is stipulated that:
Why are the four designated lucky directions halfway between each other?
In our daily lives, it is usually expressed in four directions (east-west, north-south), eight directions, 16 directions, or 32 directions, and since it is never expressed in 24 divisions, it is said that the notation is ambiguous.
◆What are the Ten Heavenly Stems?◆
These refer to the ten qualities and elements of Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Wu, Ji, Geng, Xin, Ren, and Gui .
The 12 branches of the Chinese zodiac are called the 10 Heavenly Stems and 12 Earthly Branches, and are collectively called the Chinese zodiac. The 10 Heavenly Stems and 12 Earthly Branches, which correspond to the 24 directions, are also often used in calendars and feng shui to indicate time and direction.
Each of the ten stems is assigned a number, which is determined by the last digit of the Gregorian calendar year.
Looking at the table above, it seems like there are many directions that are south-southeast, but the same lucky direction never continues for two consecutive years, and instead goes through all four directions in a five-year cycle .
◆Ehomaki◆
Ehomaki is a type of sushi roll that is eaten on Setsubun while facing the auspicious direction for the year.
It is said that people eat it whole, without cutting it with a knife, to bring good fortune and good connections, and to ensure that good fortune and wishes come true for the year. It is said that people eat it in silence to ensure that good fortune does not escape from their mouths.
◆"God of Fortune" and ingredients◆
Ehomaki typically contains seven different ingredients.
This comes from the " Seven Lucky Gods ," which are considered to be auspicious.
Ebisu → Cucumber Ebisu, the god of prosperity in business, which is related to the saying "gain nine benefits"
Daikoku-sama → Egg (Datemaki/Dashimaki)
The yellow egg is a symbol of good fortune, Daikoku-sama
Bishamonten → Koya tofu <br data-mce-fragment="1"> Soybeans , the raw material for koya tofu, have the power to ward off evil spirits.
Benzaiten → Kanpyo <br data-mce-fragment="1">In the Edo period, Kanpyo was considered a refined dish for the upper class, and its ingredients are said to be good for beauty, so Benzaiten, the only female deity ,
Fukurokuju → Conger eel <br data-mce-fragment="1">The long-bodied conger eel symbolizes "eternity" and is a symbol of happiness in the form of a long and healthy life, Fukurokuju.
Jurojin-sama → Oboro, shrimp The curved shape of shrimp, one of the ingredients of Oboro, brings to mind the image of a long-lived old man, Jurojin-sama , a symbol of longevity.
Hotei → Herring roe, boiled shiitake mushrooms <br data-mce-fragment="1">Auspicious items that pray for children and prosperity of descendants. Boiled shiitake mushrooms are filled with wishes for vitality and health, and Hotei prays for happiness and smiles.
It is common to use ingredients that have been said to be auspicious since ancient times, but these days there are many different types of ehomaki other than the seven-ingredient type.
There are no set rules for ehomaki, so please enjoy Setsubun once a year with your favorite ehomaki.
3. Holly Sardine
It is said that misfortune can come through the gaps at the turning points of the seasons, and to prevent this, there is a custom of displaying holly-leaf sardines as talismans in places that connect the inside and outside, such as the entrance to the house.
The holly is used to scare off demons with the painful thorns, while the sardine heads are said to repel demons with their smell.
Also, it is safe to eat the body of the sardine after removing the head. Because it gives off a bad smell when cooked, it is also said to ward off evil spirits.
However, there seems to be something to be said about this custom.
An old saying goes
"Even the head of a sardine comes from faith."
There is a saying that comes from the word "hiiragi iwashi." The literal translation is "Even the head of a sardine is a blessing for those who believe." In other words, it means that "anything is valuable to those who believe."
The decorations displayed during Japanese celebrations and seasonal customs are often beautifully arranged, so many Japanese people may not have been able to accept them due to their aesthetic sense. That is why the proverb "is valuable to those who believe" expresses the mysteriousness and strangeness of faith. It is often used sarcastically, so be careful when using it.
*
Although spring has arrived according to the calendar, our daily lives still feel like winter.
However, from now on, you will gradually feel the spring in Ibuki everywhere.
Marking days are a time to take good care of yourself and your family and to reassess your lifestyle. I feel that the Japanese lifestyle of deciding on these things as customs and dates is the wisdom of people that has been accumulated for generations.
This year, we hope you will once again enjoy the joy of the changing seasons by fully savoring Japan's uniquely warm culture in order to welcome spring in a comfortable mood .