"Setsubun" on February 3 and Japanese Masks

On February 3rd, which is the day before “Risshun” (Spring Begins) as well as New Year’s Eve in the lunar calendar, we celebrate “Setsubun” mamemaki (throwing beans). Traditionally “Toshi Otoko” meaning head man of the house or “year men” who are born in the animal sign of the coming year in the Oriental zodiac (2006 is the year of the dog) throw beans to someone dressed as “oni” (ogre) character wearing red or blue ogre masks saying Oni wa Soto, Fuku wa Uchi (Demon Out, Happiness In). After the ritual throwing of the beans, family members eat the number of beans corresponding to their age wishing the good fortune of the coming year. Setsubun is celebrated at Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines throughout Japan. For throwing beans, we use roasted soy beans. It is also a tradition to decorate a holy tree in front of the house with a head of a sardine, bean hull (and its sound), and holly thorn so that bad spirits will not enter.
Sources:
Setsubun in Japan: http://www2.gol.com/users/stever/setsubun.htm

We have arranged a Japanese Style table top for the “Setsubun” festival. On the new year’s eve of the lunar calendar, we throw beans towards Japanese “oni” demon character wishing for the coming year’s fortune. After the ritual ceremony, each family member eats the roasted soy beans corresponding to the age. The personal “Setsubun” set is good for the pre dinner appetizer after the ritual ceremony. On the lacquer tray, miniature bottle of sake and small sake hand-blown glass is placed on “Hopper Cana” Kinran fabric coaster. Accompaniment for sake is the roasted soy beans and “Setsubun” snacks. A dried branch of beans hull is arranged wishing for the happiness of the coming year as the old legend teaches that the sound of dried beans hull moves away the demons.

Hospitality Japan.com Boutique presents Japanese masks to create the Japanese Style atomosphere in your room.
Available in Fox, Red Ogre, Blue Ogre, Okame, Hyottoko, Tengu

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Hospitality Japan.com "Japan"ese Boutique


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