japan35 colors of life2

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According to the old lunar calendar of Japan, Setsubun is the day which divides the two seasons: winter and spring. Roast beans are scattered inside and outside the house and while shouting, “Oni wa soto, Fuku wa uchi”, which means “Fortune (Fuku) in, Evil (Oni) out!!”

February 3rd is called “Setsubun”

“Oni” would be performed by one of the house members, wearing a “Oni” mask

After scattering the beans, people eat as many roasted soy-beans as the year of their age. It is believed that people can drive out illness and evil spirits and welcome good luck by throwing and eating parched beans

People also eat lucky long sushi roll, which called “Ehoumaki”. Eating Ehou-maki on the day is one of the special traditional events which has become popular recently

People have to eat Ehoumaki while facing the lucky direction, which changes every year. In Western Japan, people make giant Sushi rolls. It's believed if you eat an entire Sushi Roll facing towards the lucky direction of the year with NO SPEAKING, then you will get good fortune!!!

February the 3rd is the official end of winter according to the traditional Japanese calendar

The existence of Oni is very similar to that of ogres, devils, or trolls in English.

Oni are gigantic human figures with two horns growing on their heads. They often appear in Japanese folktales, legends, and proverbs mainly as villains

Onigawara are a type of roof ornamentation found in Japanese architecture. The name means ”oni roof-tile” and the oni are, like the Nio guardians, protectors of the temples. So, the fierce look, with horns and sharp teeth, is designed just to scare away the evil spirits

Hasedera Temple, Kamakura

Onigawara

However, good Oni also appear in some folktales such as “Naita Aka Oni (The Red Ogre Who Cried)”

Setsubun is also known as the day for holding “Mamemaki”, which is the bean throwing festival

“Mamemaki” festival

Setsubun has its origins in tsuina, a Chinese custom

introduced to Japan in the eighth

century

The bean-throwing ceremony is held on a grand scale at temples and shrines

Beans are thrown by sumo wrestlers and other-well known persons  

On this day, events with entertainers and athletes are held at shrines all over the country 

Gagaku dance that is performed in the Setsubun festival

The next day after “Setsubun” is called “Risshun” Risshun is the first day of spring. In some warm regions of Japan, ume trees (Japanese Apricot) are started to be budding

Japan prides itself on the celebration and recognition of each season. They celebrate seasons with a lot dedication 

Prunus mume (Plum Flower, Japanese Apricot)

Prunus mume (Plum Flower, Japanese Apricot)

In late February, events of Ume flower appreciation are held everywhere of Japan

Prunus mume (Plum Flower, Japanese Apricot)

Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892) Japanese Woodblock Print Spring: Plums on the First Day of Spring in Hara Village in Ebara District, 1884

Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892) Japanese Woodblock Print Spring: Plums on the First Day of Spring in Hara Village in Ebara District, 1884 (fragment)

Prunus mume (Plum Flower, Japanese Apricot)

Prunus mume (Plum Flower, Japanese Apricot)

Hari-Kuyō is the Japanese Buddhist and Shinto Festival of Broken Needles, celebrated on February 8 (or December8 in some regions)Festival-goers gather at shrines and temples, bringing their broken needles and pins. In a funereal atmosphere, the implements are laid to rest in tofu or konnyaku (soft jelly cakes) in a spirit of tenderness and gratitude. It is the ceremony to pray to console the broken needles. On this day, the seamstresses take a holiday

”Hari” means needle and

“Kuyou” means a memorial service.

Women stick broken and

useless needles into

a tofu to have a

memorial service for

the spirits of the needles and make wishes of

improvement of their skills

of sewing

Chaenomeles japonica - The Japanese quince is a source of beauty, food, and medicine

Chaenomeles japonica - Japanese Quince

Maiko

Koto is a traditional Japanese stringed musical

instrument 

Taiko drum Okedo Daiko drum tensioned using rope

Taiko drum

Bamboo is symbol of prosperity in Japan

Hisaka manhole cover - Kakegawa CityThis particular manhole cover commemorates the fact that Hisaka In Kakegawa City was the 26th Station of the Old Tokaido Road as painted by Hiroshige. The Tōkaidō (East Sea Road) was the most important of the Five Routes of the Edo period, connecting Edo (now Tokyo) to Kyoto

Japan have numerous municipal departments competing against each other in the pursuit of the perfect manhole cover

Candle known locally as “Warosoku”, Japanese candles are made entirely from organic material

Japanese candles

Japanese wind bells called Furin, which literally means wind (fu) bell (rin)

Furin - Wind Bells

Furin - Wind Bells

Japanese porcelain pottery Kosatsuma Jar Edo period MOA Hakone museum

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Presentation: Sanda Foişoreanuwww.slideshare.net/michaelasanda

Sound: Dreams Come True - Asa ga mata kuru 2016