Today is the first day of spring on Japanese traditional calendar. It
becomes long daytime little by little. I feel spring coming that last
the daytime until 5pm. According to that calendar today is a new year's
day that the astrology change new.
Before a couple of day two volcanos erupted in Japan. I am worried about
that. I am careful to the volcanoes signs this year. (Yoshiko)
2009年2月3日
(火) 節分 A traditional end of winter
豆撒き Bean-scattering ceremony
Today is Setsubun in Japan. The term setubun is represented the days marking
the change from one season to the next. It is the day of traditional end
of winter today.
Some people said that tomorrow is new year's day because spring is coming
day, so today is end of a year. On the day of Setubun in many temples
and shrines people who are same zodiac in this year throw soy beans, shouting
“Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!” meaning “out with the goblins and in with
fortune!”.
It is began as a New year ceremony to drive out evil spirits and pray
for the family’s well-being. After the ceremony, everyone eats the same
number of beans as their own age. It is believed that by doing so, people
will be free of sickness during that year.
We went to the most biggest temple in this area to participate in a bean-scattering
ceremony inviting a Korean friend Jin. She told us that there are not
the event Setsubun but it is written to the Korean calendar, too. We participated
in the ceremony of two more Shinto shrines. We had enjoyed and were given
a lot of ceremony beans and cakes. We came home then cooked Korean supper,
we ate same number of each ages soy beans. We enjoyed Setsubun event very
much. (Yoshiko)