鬼は外ふくは裡

Happy Setsubun!


Setsubun is a bean throwing festival held in Japan on February 3rd. February 3rd is the day before spring according to the Japanese Lunar Calendar. On this day, Japanese in shrines and in their homes throw soybeans (yum) while shouting "oni wa soto; fu ku wa uchi" (Out with the demon in with happiness).


At some schools teachers will dress up as demons (symbolizing misfortune), and allow their students to throw beans at them - inviting fotune for a new year. After the beans are thrown they will eat the number of beans corresponding with their age.