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SETSUBUN
Tomorrow is Setsubun (節分), the beginning of spring in the old lunar calendar. This rather intriguing festival falls a little earlier than usual this year.
Understandably, the celebrations at Yoshida-jinja, Heian Jingu & Yasaka-jinja have been cancelled.#Japan
Around Setsubun we serve two special sweets in the tea room: Ofuku (於福) & Masumame (枡豆).
Ofuku represents a plump-faced woman, & Masumame a wooden box used to hold the roasted soy beans thrown at Setsubun.
Both wagashi are made from rice dough wrapped around sweet bean paste.
Ofuku represents a plump-faced woman, & Masumame a wooden box used to hold the roasted soy beans thrown at Setsubun.
Both wagashi are made from rice dough wrapped around sweet bean paste.
Ofuku (於福-Okame 阿亀 & Otafuku 阿多福) is a cheerful, plump-cheeked woman that has become a symbol of Setsubun. The character '福' (fuku) in her name means 'luck'.
Ofuku's dark long hair, small red lips and pale-skin were considered the height of feminine beauty in Heian Japan.
Ofuku's dark long hair, small red lips and pale-skin were considered the height of feminine beauty in Heian Japan.
The 'masu' (枡) in 'masumame' (枡豆) is the name of a square wooden box, originally used to measure rice in Japan. 'Mame' (豆) is the general term for beans.
At Setsubun roasted soy beans, held in masu, are commonly tossed to cast out bad luck and scatter any lurking oni!
#Kyoto
At Setsubun roasted soy beans, held in masu, are commonly tossed to cast out bad luck and scatter any lurking oni!
#Kyoto
Our friends over at Itotatsu (御室和菓子 いと達) sell a charming little sweet set called "The Oni's Pants" (おにのパンツ) for Setsubun.
Named after a famous children's song, the wagashi depict red and blue oni heads, and their tiger-pelt loincloths.
https://itotatsu.com/
Named after a famous children's song, the wagashi depict red and blue oni heads, and their tiger-pelt loincloths.
https://itotatsu.com/
For those wondering about the ear-worm that is "Oni-no-Pantsu".
"Oni No Pantsu" Original.
via
@YouTube
#Kyoto #Japan #oninopantsu #おにのパンツ #Setsubun #節分 #京都
"Oni No Pantsu" Original.
via
@YouTube
#Kyoto #Japan #oninopantsu #おにのパンツ #Setsubun #節分 #京都
So why are oni (鬼) associated with Setsubun, and why are they wearing tiger-pelt loincloths?
One common belief is that their physical appearance is an embodiment of the unlucky N.E. direction, known as 'Kimon' (鬼門), lit. 'Demon Gate', in Chinese Taoism & esoteric Onmyōdō.
One common belief is that their physical appearance is an embodiment of the unlucky N.E. direction, known as 'Kimon' (鬼門), lit. 'Demon Gate', in Chinese Taoism & esoteric Onmyōdō.
In Taoism and Onmyōdō the directions are each assigned 1 of the 12 Chinese Zodiac animals (or a combination).
The N.E. is 'Ushitora' (丑寅), 'Ox Tiger'.
It has been suggested that oni (horns, teeth, strength & loincloth) evolved as a representation of this directional name.
#節分
The N.E. is 'Ushitora' (丑寅), 'Ox Tiger'.
It has been suggested that oni (horns, teeth, strength & loincloth) evolved as a representation of this directional name.
#節分
THE ORIGINS OF SETSUBUNSetsubun ushered in the first season of the new year. It was a period when the boundaries between our world and the spirit world grew weak, and so people took care to make sure to drive away any spirits that might have wandered into the home.
#Japan
Setsubun has its roots in a Chinese folk custom called Nuó (傩). In the 8thC this exorcistic religious tradition arrived in Japan as 'Tsuina' (追儺), a 'ritual to exorcise evil spirits on the last day of winter'.
It was necessary to physically drive away unwanted spirits.
#Kyoto
It was necessary to physically drive away unwanted spirits.
#Kyoto
Originally people would bring tools & outside items into the house to protect them from the spirits, and rice cakes were left at doorways & windows to keep the hungry ghosts at bay.
In Tottori (鳥取県) a talisman of holly & dried sardine heads is still used as an anti-oni charm.
In Tottori (鳥取県) a talisman of holly & dried sardine heads is still used as an anti-oni charm.
THROWING BEANSIn the Muromachi period the custom of 'Mamemaki' (豆撒き) first appeared. Unwanted spirits, thought to bring with them bad luck and sickness, were chased out of the home by the scattering of roasted soybeans.
The tradition is still popular to this day!
Roasted soybeans called 'Fukumame' (福豆 'Fortune Beans') are thrown out of open doorways (or at brave family members dressed as oni) while everyone yells
"Devils out! Fortune in!"
(鬼は外! 福は内!).
The doors are then slammed firmly shut, trapping any misfortune outside.
#節分
"Devils out! Fortune in!"
(鬼は外! 福は内!).
The doors are then slammed firmly shut, trapping any misfortune outside.
#節分
The bean scatterer is traditionally a male family member born on the zodiac sign of the new year (年男), or else the male family head
For good luck family members eat 1 soybean for each year of their life, plus 1 extra for the new year.
#Japan #Kyoto #Setsubun #京都 #節分
For good luck family members eat 1 soybean for each year of their life, plus 1 extra for the new year.
#Japan #Kyoto #Setsubun #京都 #節分
Why are beans thrown?
While some have suggested that 'mame' (豆 'bean') is a homonym for 'mame' (魔滅), which can be translated as 'demon extermination', a more simple explanation may be that beans, like seeds, symbolize the promise of new life (& are extremely nutritious).
#豆
While some have suggested that 'mame' (豆 'bean') is a homonym for 'mame' (魔滅), which can be translated as 'demon extermination', a more simple explanation may be that beans, like seeds, symbolize the promise of new life (& are extremely nutritious).
#豆
Like traditional Halloween & Christmas, Setsubun was considered to be a topsy-turvy time when normal rules were turned on their head.
Cross-dressing & wearing disguises was common. The young would dress as old people & vice versa (a tradition preserved in some Geisha districts).
Cross-dressing & wearing disguises was common. The young would dress as old people & vice versa (a tradition preserved in some Geisha districts).
"Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!"
"Devils out! Fortune in!"
(鬼は外! 福は内!)
Happy Setsubun!
Get your 'fukumame' (福豆) ready!
It's rather cold and grey today, which is even more reason to enjoy the festive foods on offer
#Japan #Kyoto #Setsubun #節分 #京都
Somewhat mirroring the 'big clean' that takes place before New Year, Setsubun is a time to ritually sweep away bad luck in preparation for 'Risshun' (立春), the first day of spring in the old lunar calendar.
This period is known as 'Haru Matsuri' (春祭), the 'Spring Festival'.
This period is known as 'Haru Matsuri' (春祭), the 'Spring Festival'.
GOBBLING UP THE LUCKY DIRECTION
Each year has a particularly auspicious direction...tomorrow's will be S.S.E. (南南東).
One Kansai tradition at Setsubun is the eating of Makizushi (巻き寿司) whilst facing the soon-to-be lucky direction.
Photos - http://cookpad.com
Ehō-maki (恵方巻 'lucky direction roll') is a roll of Makizushi (巻き寿司) that has not been cut into slices.
Facing the year's lucky direction you eat the Ehō-maki in silence (and without resting!).
Originating in Ōsaka, this tradition has slowly spread across Japan.
#Setsubun
Facing the year's lucky direction you eat the Ehō-maki in silence (and without resting!).
Originating in Ōsaka, this tradition has slowly spread across Japan.
#Setsubun
We cannot be sure, but it seems that the tradition of eating Makizushi at Setsubun was around in late Meiji times.
In 1932 the Nori Manufacturers Union of Ōsaka promoted eating sushi rolls at Setsubun for good luck, hoping to increase sales of nori (海苔 edible seaweed).
#Japan
In 1932 the Nori Manufacturers Union of Ōsaka promoted eating sushi rolls at Setsubun for good luck, hoping to increase sales of nori (海苔 edible seaweed).
#Japan
A whole year has passed since my niece became a horror icon. https://twitter.com/camelliakyoto/status/1254577532357144576?s=19
