Chasing evil spirits away.
Throwing roasted soybeans to ward off evil spirits from homes has been a Japanese tradition for centuries. The event is held on the 3rd of Febuary. The 3rd of Febuary is the seasonal division of winter and spring. The general idea is to drive evil spirits from the home, while welcoming good fortune. This special ritual is called mamemaki (豆撒き).
Okay so how is it done?
Mamemaki is usually performed by the toshiotoko (年男) of the household (i.e. the male who was born on the corresponding animal year on the chinese zodiac), or else the male head of the household. Roasted soybeans(called irimame 炒り豆) are thrown either out the door or at a member of the family wearing an Oni (demon or orge) mask, while the throwers chant "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!" (鬼は外! 福は内!). The meaning of the words roughly translates to "Demons out! Luck in!" The beans are thought to symbolically purify the home by driving away the evil spirits that bring misfortune and bad health with them.
Throwing roasted soybeans to ward off evil spirits from homes has been a Japanese tradition for centuries. The event is held on the 3rd of Febuary. The 3rd of Febuary is the seasonal division of winter and spring. The general idea is to drive evil spirits from the home, while welcoming good fortune. This special ritual is called mamemaki (豆撒き).
Okay so how is it done?
Mamemaki is usually performed by the toshiotoko (年男) of the household (i.e. the male who was born on the corresponding animal year on the chinese zodiac), or else the male head of the household. Roasted soybeans(called irimame 炒り豆) are thrown either out the door or at a member of the family wearing an Oni (demon or orge) mask, while the throwers chant "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!" (鬼は外! 福は内!). The meaning of the words roughly translates to "Demons out! Luck in!" The beans are thought to symbolically purify the home by driving away the evil spirits that bring misfortune and bad health with them.
After throwing roasted soybeans, as part of bring luck in, it is customary that everyone eat the same number of beans as their age in order to wish for good health during the year. In some areas, one for each year of one's life plus one for bringing good luck for the year to come.
The use of soybeans is thought to come from the fact that soybeans grow everywhere while still providing fertility to the soil. Because of this they were thought to have magical powers that would be effective against evil spirits.
Join us with the many millions of Japanese in bean throwing for mamemaki. If were not able to purchase soybeans by tonight nowaday peanuts are used too.
Since we currently don't have a vehicle we won't be able to go to the Setsuban Festival held at the Naminoue Shrine but we will bless our billeting room this year. Maybe KB will be able to find a Oni Mask to wear so that the children can throw the soybeans to frighten the "oni" away.
Have fun frightening the Oni from your home!
Talk soon~ Denise
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