Setsubun 節分

I had a fun time at Language corner today.  Language corner is an event at the International Student Center at Hokudai where students come to practice their English and Japanese.  Today we ended the language practice early to have a Setsubun ceremony.  I didn't know what to expect.  Several of the students had Oni 鬼 (Japanese demon) masks.  These students put on the masks and we were supposed to throw beans at them to symbolize driving away evil spirits.  Then we are supposed to eat the beans.  The number of beans you are supposed to eat is equal to your age plus one.  According to the Wikipedia article the reason for the plus one is:

as part of bringing luck in, it is customary to eat roasted soybeans, one for each year of one's life, and in some areas, one for each year of one's life plus one more for bringing good luck for the year to come.

In the first couple of photos you can see the students wearing the Oni masks ducking and dodging as we throw beans at them.

Here one of the Oni throws beans at the other Oni.  Even the Oni need good luck!

Here is Ki-san.  She is the organizer of Language corner and also the organizer of this ceremony.  She is carrying the box full of beans.

Here is my new friend Richard from China (Richard is not his Chinese name).  He is counting out the beans to make sure he eats the right number.  This provides a convenient opportunity to find out each other's age by asking how many beans have been counted out.

Here is Rena, an American exchange student from Oregon taking off the Oni mask after having the beans thrown at her.

The Oni pose for pictures after the ceremony.  On the left is Michael and on the right is Masashi, I can't recognize the student pretending to be the Oni through his mask. 

So if you want good luck in the Spring I highly recommend this ceremony.  The hardest part is convincing your friends to be the Oni. 

That's all for now.

-Kyle (and Bre)