Setsubun
Japanese festival to drive away evil spirits before spring.
Setsubun (節分) is a Japanese festival that marks the day before the beginning of spring according to the traditional lunar-solar calendar. The name literally translates to “seasonal division,” and while it once referred to a broader range of possible dates, it is now typically observed on February 3, though in some years such as 2021 and 2025 it fell on February 2. The following day, the first day of spring in the old calendar, is known as Risshun, and both are celebrated as part of the Spring Festival (Haru matsuri). The festival’s core purpose is to drive away the previous year’s bad fortunes and evil spirits, ensuring good luck for the year ahead.
The origins of Setsubun lie in a Chinese custom called tsuina, which was introduced to Japan in the 8th century. According to the Japanese history book Nihon Sandai Jitsuroku, the first recorded observance in Japan was in 706, when it was a court ceremony held on the last day of the lunar-solar year. At that time, evil spirits were warded off by decorating palace gates with clay figures of cows and children, as well as using peach branches and walking sticks. The modern practice of throwing roasted soybeans (mamemaki) began during the Muromachi period (1336–1573). A dictionary from that era, the Setsuyōshū, traces the bean-throwing tradition to a 10th-century legend: during the reign of Emperor Uda, a monk on Mt. Kurama blinded an oni (demon) with roasted beans, escaping misfortune. The Japanese word for bean, mame, is pronounced similarly to a phrase meaning “to destroy the devil,” which contributed to the custom’s adoption. While the aristocracy initially kept tsuina and bean-throwing separate, commoners gradually merged the two.
From the Edo period (1603–1867), the practice spread to Shinto shrines, Buddhist temples, and ordinary homes across Japan. Another tradition from this era involved decorating house gates with roasted sardine heads attached to holly sprigs, intended to repel oni with the thorns and the fish’s smell. This custom has earlier roots in the Heian period (794–1185), as recorded in the diary Seiji Yōryaku, which describes a sacred rope (shimenawa) hung at a house gate during the New Year, sometimes adorned with a mullet head and holly. The custom of eating eho-maki (uncut sushi rolls) on Setsubun began in geisha districts during the Edo and Meiji periods. People face the year’s most auspicio
- label
- Setsubun
- type
- Seasonal festival
- origin
- Japan
- observed
- February 3 (occasionally February 2)
- associated_with
- Risshun (first day of spring)
- key_ritual
- Mamemaki (bean scattering)
Lore & Background
Setsubun is the day before the beginning of spring in the old Japanese calendar, with the name literally meaning "seasonal division." It is now typically held on February 3, though in some years it falls on February 2. The observance originated from a Chinese custom called *tsuina*, introduced to Japan in the 8th century. According to the Japanese history book *Nihon Sandai Jitsuroku*, the first recorded *tsuina* in Japan was in 706, an event at court to ward off evil spirits on the last day of the lunar-solar year. At that time, clay figures of cows and children were placed at palace gates, and peach branches and walking sticks were used. The modern bean-throwing ritual, *mamemaki*, began in the Muromachi period (1336–1573) among the aristocracy and samurai, who threw beans from their houses. The *Ainōshō* dictionary from that period traces the practice to a 10th-century legend: a monk on Mt. Kurama escaped misfortune by blinding an *oni* (demon) with roasted beans. The Japanese word for bean, *mame*, can be written as "devil's eye" (魔目) and is similar to *mametsu* (魔滅), meaning "to destroy the devil." During the Edo period (1603–1867), the custom spread to Shinto shrines, Buddhist temples, and ordinary homes. Another tradition from this era involved tying roasted sardine heads to holly sprigs and hanging them at house gates to scare away *oni* with the thorns and smell. The custom of eating uncut *ehōmaki* sushi rolls in silence while facing the year's lucky direction began in geisha districts between the Edo and Meiji periods, and spread nationwide after a convenience store chain rebranded and sold them in 1989.
Reader's Guide
Setsubun remains a widely observed festival in Japan, blending ancient court rituals with folk traditions. The main practice, mamemaki, involves throwing roasted soybeans while shouting 'Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!' ('Devils out! Fortune in!') to purify the home. Participants then eat beans equal to their age plus one for good luck. Many people also attend shrine or temple spring festivals, where priests, celebrities, or sumo wrestlers throw packets of beans and prizes. Regional variations include eating uncut sushi rolls (ehōmaki) in silence while facing the year's lucky direction, and decorating entrances with sardine heads and holly leaves to repel oni. The festival's significance lies in its role as a seasonal boundary, where the spirit world is believed to be close, necessitating rituals to ensure a fresh start and good fortune for the coming year.
Did You Know?
- The custom of throwing beans began in the Muromachi period, based on a 10th-century legend of a monk blinding oni with roasted beans.
- Families with the surname Watanabe traditionally do not throw beans on Setsubun, due to the legend of Watanabe no Tsuna vanquishing oni.
- The practice of eating ehōmaki on Setsubun began in geisha districts from the Edo period to the Meiji period.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Setsubun?
Setsubun is a Japanese seasonal festival observed on the day just before spring begins in the traditional calendar. It falls within the broader Spring Festival (Haru matsuri) and focuses on rituals meant to banish the previous year's misfortune and evil spirits.
When is Setsubun celebrated?
Setsubun is observed on February 3 each year, though it occasionally lands on February 2. It directly precedes Risshun, the traditional first day of spring.
What does the name 'Setsubun' mean?
The term translates to 'seasonal division,' reflecting its role as the boundary point separating winter from spring in the old Japanese calendar.
What is the main ritual performed during Setsubun?
The central custom is called Mamemaki, in which participants scatter roasted soybeans outward while calling out to drive away evil spirits and bad luck from the past year.
Why is Setsubun considered important in Japanese tradition?
It serves as a spiritual reset, allowing people to symbolically cast out the hardships of the previous year before welcoming the new season. The festival marks a meaningful transition point in the traditional calendar tied to the arrival of spring.
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