A Ritual to Mark the Turning Point Between Seasons by Throwing Beans to Drive Away Demons

Setsubun means the turning point between seasons, and often indicates the day before "Risshun" (the start of spring) in particular. Setsubun is always accompanied by a ritual of throwing beans to drive away (or cleanse) demons. From 10 AM until 6 PM on February 3, visitors to Osu Kannon Temple get the chance to take part in "mame maki," or bean throwing, performed in special stands set up within the grounds.

At Setsubun, it is customary to throw beans together with shouts of "Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi" ("Demons out, happiness in"). A demon mask has been handed down as a temple treasure at Osu Kannon Temple however, so "Oni wa soto" is taboo and you only say, "Fuku wa uchi." At the same time, there is a lively Setsubun parade involving treasure ships bearing the God of Happiness, the Seven Gods of Good Luck and so on, all accompanied by troupes of musicians and the like.