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Setsubun; the day before the start of spring
A traditional Japanese event held on February 3rd (occasionally February 2nd), marking the transition from winter to spring in the old calendar. People throw roasted soybeans to drive away evil spirits, shouting '鬼は外、福は内' (Demons out, fortune in).
Cultural note
Originally the day before any of the four seasonal divisions; now it means the day before 立春 (the start of spring), usually February 3.
- 豆まき: throwing roasted soybeans to drive out 鬼, calling 「鬼は外、福は内」
- eating as many beans as one's age (in some homes, one more) for good health
- eating a whole 恵方巻 sushi roll in silence, facing the year's lucky direction
Temples and shrines hold public bean-throwing events, often with celebrities and sumo wrestlers.