February 3rd : SETSUBUN
Do you know what February 3rd is in Japan?
It's SETSUBUN.
It literally means "division of seasons", and this day is the day before the beginning of spring.
There are some traditional customs for SETSUBUN in Japan.
The classic event is Bean-Throwing Festival.
Crying out "Oniwa-soto, Fukuwa-uchi!",
we throw the roasted soybeans to inside/outside of the houses.
Oniwa-soto !! = Devils out !!
Fukuwa-uchi !! = Good luck in !!
We scatter beans to drive away evil and bring in good luck.
It is also customary to eat the same number of beans as our age.
It is a kind of charm to wish for good health.
The one which has recently taken root on SETSUBUN is EHO-MAKI.
EHO-MAKI is Fortune Sushi Roll.
There are 3 rules to eat EHO-MAKI.
( 1 )
Face the lucky direction of the year.
< This year 2011, it's south-southeast. >
( 2 )
Eat an entire EHO-MAKI without stopping.
( 3 )
Don't speak until finishing eating EHO-MAKI.
How come we are not supposed to speak while eating EHO-MAKI ?
It's said that good fortune will be gone if we speak.
As a rare custom, HIIRAGI IWASHI is well known.
HIIRAGI is a holly, and IWASHI is a sardine.
The holly branch with the head of sardine is placed in the front door.
It is said that HIIRAGI IWASHI will protect us from the demon and sickness.
Which event do you want to try?
I'm going to eat EHO-MAKI, facing to the south-southeast.
ITADAKI MASU. （q＾Q＾q）