On the night of February 3rd, it is possible to witness Setsubun, a traditional Japanese custom to celebrate the coming of spring and to ward off illness and misfortune. Family members can be seen throwing beans at an imaginary demon at the front door decorated with fish heads stuck on a stick (maybe a stray cat eyeing the fish heads). Just as the demon runs away, the whole family starts eating sushi rolls in silence, all facing the same direction.

According to the old Japanese calendar, February 4th (risshun), the beginning of spring was actually the start of the new year. The previous day, February 3rd, was New Year's Eve, and considered to be a particularly auspicious day. At this time of the year people tend to get sick due to the change of seasons from winter to spring. Therefore, to celebrate the arrival of the New Year, people held a ritual called "mamemaki" to ward off illness and misfortune, using the image of a demon.

Mamemaki is a historical custom that dates back to the Muromachi period (1336-1573). Roasted soybeans are thrown at a person wearing a demon mast while people shout, "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi! (Demons out! Fortune in !). There are many theories as to why beans are used, but it is often said that the pronunciation of beans is similar to that of "mame" (魔目) demon eyes, or "mametsu"（魔滅,）or getting rid of demons.

Fish heads seen at gates and doorways are a kind of amulet called "hiiragi iwashi" and are used to ward off evil spirits. Demons are said to dislike the smell of sardines and the spikes of holly, so this decoration is placed in front of the house to keep them away.

For dinner, a kind of sushi roll called "ehomaki" is eaten. There is a set way to eat ehomaki. You must face the “eho,” or lucky direction of the year and hold the roll in your hand like a telescope. The whole roll has to be eaten in complete silence. It is said that if you talk while eating it you will not receive any good fortune. Therefore, the table is very quiet. The same number of beans as our age (plus one) are eaten to pray for good health during the year.

Depending on the region, there are some differences in the custom of Setsubun, such as throwing peanuts with shells instead of beans. In addition, there are areas where you eat fixed dishes such as "Setsubun soba", "Kenchin jiru (vegetable soup)" or grilled sardines. In fact, Ehomaki was used to be a custom limited to the area around Osaka. However, it became a common practice when Ehomaki was sold at convenience stores nationwide.

Throw beans and pray for the health and happiness of the year.

First, I will explain 「豆」”Tou/Mame”.
"豆" is a hieroglyph in the shape of a plate used to put food on it. Beans must have been an important food in the old days in Japan.

Next, I will explain 「節分」”Setsubun”.
「節」 ”Setsu” is a kanji that combines 「竹」 ”Take”=Bamboo and 「即」 ”Soku/Setsu”= phonetic characters. Bamboo has knots. From there, 「節」 came to represent parts of things.

「分」 is a kanji that combines 「八」 ”Hachi” and 「刀」 ”Katana”. 「八」 has a meaning of dividing. 「刀」 is a sword. Therefore, 「節分」 ”Setsubun” has a meaning of dividing/separating parts, and especially in Japan, it represents the day when the year of the lunar calendar is divided, that is, February 3rd.

All Japanese just can't wait for Setsubun. Because Setsubun is the day when winter ends and spring begins, and it is the beginning of a new year that Japanese originally have.