SETSUBUN day is Feb 3rd every year.
Holly branches and heads of sardine are decorated at the house entrance for turning devils away.
Painful holly’s leaves and smelly fish sardines defend devils come into the house.
Throwing soybeans to inside and outside to saying “Out with the devil! In with good fortune!”
Picking soybeans up inside of rooms, eat same numbers of your age plus one more for wishing your health.
The bean-scattering ceremony celebrates the coming of spring.
Ceremonies are held large temples and shrines as well. Sumo wrestlers, actors etc are invited for special guest.
Basically only Osaka area people eat EHOMAKI rolled sushi (like Futomaki sushi).
To face the best direction (EHO), grab stick of EHOMAKI to eat it with no words to say while to be wishing.
Don’t cut EHOMAKI (luck is cut), don’t say anything, otherwise your luck is gone.
“EHO” is best direction where “god of direction TOSHITOKUJIN” stays this year. According to direction map, direction is changed every year. Year 2008 EHO is slightly right of South/South/East.
Gion in Kyoto, Maiko and Geiko (Geisha) change Kimono to funny costumes only this day, that is called OBAKE (monster) day.
