Setsubun

What is Setsubun?

Setsubun (節分) literally means 'seasonal division' and originally referred to the eves of all four seasons, but over time it came to refer specifically to the day before the start of spring (risshun, 立春). In the traditional Japanese calendar, the new year begins with spring, so Setsubun is considered a kind of New Year's Eve, a time to purify the home and drive away misfortune before the fresh start.

Today, Setsubun is widely celebrated on February 3rd, though the exact date can shift by a day or two depending on the astronomical calculation of risshun. The most well-known custom is mamemaki (豆まき), the throwing of roasted soybeans (fuku mame, 福豆) to expel demons (oni, 鬼) and invite good luck.

The Bean-Throwing Ritual

During mamemaki, one person—often the father of the household, or in some regions someone born in the current zodiac year (toshi-otoko, 年男)—throws roasted soybeans out the door or at a family member wearing an oni mask. As they throw, they shout:

Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi! (鬼は外！福は内！)

'Demons out! Fortune in!'

The beans are meant to blind the oni and drive them away. After the throwing, each person eats as many beans as their age (plus one for good luck in some areas) to ensure health for the coming year. The beans are typically roasted so that they will not sprout, symbolically preventing misfortune from taking root.

In many temples and shrines, public mamemaki events are held, where celebrities, sumo wrestlers, or local figures throw beans to crowds. People catch the beans, believing they carry good fortune.

The Oni and Its Meaning

The oni is a Japanese demon or ogre, often depicted with red or blue skin, horns, and a fierce expression. In the context of Setsubun, the oni represents evil spirits, illness, and misfortune. The custom of driving away oni with beans has roots in ancient Chinese rituals of driving out evil at the new year, which were adopted in Japan during the Heian period (794–1185).

The oni is not a purely malevolent being in all Japanese folklore—some stories portray oni as complex characters—but in Setsubun, it is simply the symbol of all that is undesirable.

The Silent Sushi Roll: Ehomaki

A more recent but now widespread custom is eating ehomaki (恵方巻), a thick sushi roll, on Setsubun. The word ehomaki means 'lucky direction roll.' The custom originated in the Kansai region (around Osaka) in the late Edo period (1603–1868) or early Meiji era (1868–1912), but it became nationally popular only in the late 20th century, largely due to marketing by convenience store chains.

The ehomaki is a futomaki (太巻き) sushi roll filled with several ingredients, often including egg, eel, cucumber, and kanpyō (dried gourd strips). The ingredients are said to represent happiness and good fortune.

To eat ehomaki correctly, you must face the year's lucky direction (ehō, 恵方), which changes each year according to the zodiac and the position of the star deity Tōsetsujin. In 2025, the lucky direction is southwest (nanbu, 南西). You eat the entire roll in one continuous, silent bite—no talking, no pausing—while making a wish. Talking is said to let the luck escape.

This custom is often misunderstood as an ancient tradition, but it is largely a modern commercial phenomenon. Nevertheless, it has become a beloved part of Setsubun for many families.

Other Setsubun Customs

Besides bean-throwing and ehomaki, there are regional and household variations. Some people hang sardine heads (iwashi, 鰯) and holly leaves (hiragi, 柊) at their front doors to ward off oni, as the smell and sharp leaves are believed to repel them. This is called hiragi-iwashi (柊鰯).

In some regions, people stick beans into a makeshift kumade (熊手, rake) or into a small altar to symbolize trapping good fortune. Others visit shrines or temples for special ceremonies, where priests may perform rituals to drive away evil.

Setsubun is also a time when some people eat soybeans in other forms, such as in sweets or snacks, but the roasted beans are the most traditional.

Language and Vocabulary

Learning some key words can deepen your understanding of Setsubun:

• 節分（せつぶん）— Setsubun, the seasonal division
• 立春（りっしゅん）— the beginning of spring
• 豆まき（まめまき）— bean-throwing
• 福豆（ふくまめ）— fortune beans (the roasted soybeans)
• 鬼（おに）— demon, ogre
• 恵方巻（えほうまき）— lucky direction sushi roll
• 恵方（えほう）— lucky direction
• 年男（としおとこ）— a man born in the current zodiac year, often leads bean-throwing

For more on seasonal words and customs, you might explore the vocabulary section. If you want to practice writing these kanji, the stroke order game can help.

Setsubun Today

Setsubun is not a national holiday, but it is widely observed. Many families still perform mamemaki at home, and supermarkets sell ehomaki rolls in the weeks leading up to February 3rd. The day is also a chance for communities to come together at shrines and temples, where the atmosphere is lively and festive.

For learners of Japanese, Setsubun offers a window into how traditional beliefs blend with modern life. The phrases and customs are simple enough to understand even at a beginner level, and participating—even by eating an ehomaki in silence—can be a fun way to connect with Japanese culture.

If you are studying Japanese, you may also find it useful to learn about other seasonal events, such as Hinamatsuri (Doll Festival) or Tanabata (Star Festival), to build your cultural knowledge and vocabulary.

For grammar patterns used in wishes and commands, such as 'Oni wa soto!' (an ellipsis of 'go out'), you can consult the grammar library.