鬼は外！福は内！
""oni wa soto！ fuku wa uchi！
This is one of my favorite days in Japan. Not just because it supposedly marks the coming of Spring, but also because it involves ogres ("oni"), fun superstitions for the kids, and throwing things.
Rather than give a long-winded and most likely vague and inaccurate explanation of this special day in Japanese tradition (but not a holiday), i will simply be lazy and link to a far clearer and more detailed description:
Setsubun in Japan
by Steve Renshaw and Saori Ihara
OR
What is Setsubun?
by the Hiroshima Interpreters and Guides Association
Idea:
Reality:
The most disturbing thing by far about this otherwise cute little cartoon is the fact that, while the kids are all happy and throwing beans and the father appears to be playing along, he is in fact still holding what looks to be a pretty nasty spiked club!
The food traditionally eaten on Setsubun. The "maki-zushi" roll, i'm told, is to be eaten all at once, not cut or shared.
鬼は外！福は内！
"oni wa soto！ fuku wa uchi！"
Symian is: throwing out the bad beans.
Currently Reading: Time Magazine
Currently Listening: The Freestylers - Adventures in Freestyle
Kanji of the Day: 豆／まめ − bean
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