Setsubun

Setsubun is a longstanding cultural observance based on the traditional Japanese calendar system, marking the seasonal transition. Today, it is typically observed on the day before Risshun, the day traditionally considered the beginning of spring, which usually falls around February 3 each year. The festival symbolizes the end of winter and the transition to spring, and is shaped by rituals aimed at purifying oneself from the negative influences believed to accompany this change.

Meaning and Conceptual Framework

The term "Setsubun" consists of two Japanese kanji. “Setsu” (節) means season, while “Bun” (分) means to divide or separate. Together, Setsubun literally translates to “division of the seasons” or “seasonal transition point.”^【1】 Historically, this term was used four times a year in the Japanese calendar system to denote the day before each seasonal change. Over time, its usage narrowed and became exclusively associated with the specific day marking the transition from winter to spring.

Historical Origins and Development

The origins of Setsubun lie in ancient Chinese rituals known as Tsuina, which were performed to expel evil spirits. These practices were transmitted to Japan through cultural exchange and gradually integrated with local belief systems. During the Heian period, Setsubun became an official ceremony held at the imperial court, where rituals were conducted to drive away malevolent spirits and enter the new season in a purified state. By the Edo period, these practices extended beyond the court and became widespread among temples and in everyday life, evolving into a communal tradition. Although the exact origin date of Setsubun cannot be documented, it is widely accepted that its distinctive rituals have been part of Japanese culture for over a thousand years.^【2】

Expelling Evil Spirits, Colorful Woodblock Print – Tsukioka Kôgyo (The Art Institute of Chicago)

Purpose and Belief System

The primary purpose of Setsubun is to dispel evil spirits (they) and the misfortune, illness, and negativity believed to accompany seasonal transitions. According to traditional belief, the period of transition from winter to spring is seen as a time when the boundary between the spirit world and the human world becomes weakened. Thus, Setsubun represents not merely a calendrical transition but also a spiritual and spatial purification process. The rituals performed during the festival aim to safeguard individual health, family well-being, and social prosperity.

The Mamemaki Ritual

The central ritual of Setsubun is mamemaki, the throwing of roasted soybeans. This practice occurs both in homes and at temples. As the beans are thrown, participants traditionally chant: “Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi”, which means “Demons out, fortune in.” The use of soybeans stems from the belief that cereal grains possess purifying properties. Additionally, the Japanese word for bean, mame, sounds similar to phrases meaning “to destroy evil.” As a complementary part of the ritual, individuals eat a number of beans equal to their age, or sometimes one more, in the belief that this ensures health and protection for the coming year.^【3】

Soybeans to Be Thrown During the Demon-Expelling Ceremony – Kubo Shunman (The Met)

The Eho-maki Tradition

Another tradition observed during Setsubun is the consumption of eho-maki, uncut long sushi rolls. During this practice, the sushi is eaten in silence while facing the lucky compass direction of the year, and without being broken. Silence symbolizes undivided focus and the preservation of intent, while eating the roll whole reflects the belief that fortune should not be divided. Although the eho-maki custom became widespread primarily in modern times, it has now become an established part of contemporary Setsubun observances.

The Hiiragi Iwashi Practice

During Setsubun, households hang hiiragi iwashi, a traditional talisman consisting of a grilled sardine head impaled on a holly branch. Two beliefs underlie its protective function: first, the sharp odor of the sardine is thought to repel demons; second, the pointed, spiky leaves of the holly branch are believed to deter evil spirits. This practice is performed to protect homes and create a purified atmosphere at the beginning of spring.

Hiiragi Iwashi Practice (Generated by Artificial Intelligence)

Symbolic Figures and Ritual Representations

The oni figure is one of the most prominent symbols of Setsubun. Oni are regarded as personifications of illness, misfortune, and evil, typically represented by red or blue masks. A common household ritual involves someone wearing an oni mask and being playfully chased out of the home. In addition, at some temple ceremonies, deities such as Daikoku and Ebisu, who represent prosperity and good fortune, are also honored. During the festival, temples sell objects associated with luck, including daruma dolls, bamboo rakes, and various amulets.

Regional and Institutional Practices

While Setsubun follows a common framework across Japan, it exhibits regional variations. The Kanda Myojin Shrine in Tokyo, with a history of approximately 1,300 years, is one of the most important centers for Setsubun celebrations. Its ceremonies include traditional processions, symbolic archery rituals performed in ancient warrior attire, and large-scale mamemaki events.^【4】 Similar temple-centered observances take place in regions such as Kofu, Dazaifu, and Nara. At the Kasuga Taisha Shrine in Nara, the Setsubun Mantoro ceremony, featuring hundreds of lanterns lit in procession, exemplifies the long-standing historical continuity of this tradition.^【5】

Practices Outside Japan

Although Setsubun is a uniquely Japanese tradition, it is also observed in regions with Japanese communities and through cultural promotion efforts abroad. In particular, Japanese cultural centers in Hawaii organize educational events to introduce Setsubun rituals, promoting the continuation of mamemaki and eho-maki customs. Additionally, Japan’s diplomatic missions overseas present Setsubun as part of its cultural heritage, using informational materials and public events to raise awareness.