Introduction: The Border Between Winter and Spring
Japan has long found deep meaning in the transitions of the seasons. Among them, Setsubun (節分) marks the delicate boundary between winter and spring. The word literally means “seasonal division,” and it refers to the day before Risshun (立春), the first day of spring in the traditional calendar. In other words, Setsubun represents the final day of the old year, while spring brings a symbolic new beginning.
Today, Setsubun is often associated with 豆まき mamemaki (bean throwing) and 恵方巻 ehōmaki (lucky sushi rolls), but its origins lie in centuries of rituals for driving away evil and welcoming good fortune. It is a moment to cleanse the spirit, to let go of winter’s heaviness, and to invite the fresh breath of spring into one’s life. For many Japanese people, Setsubun is not just a seasonal event—it is a quiet reset of the heart.
Origins and History
The roots of Setsubun can be traced back to an ancient Chinese ritual called tsuina (追儺), a ceremony to expel demons and misfortune at the end of the year. The custom was introduced to Japan during the Nara period and became part of court life in the Heian period under the name Oniyarai (鬼やらい), literally “driving out demons.” At that time, nobles used bows, arrows, and torches to symbolically chase away evil spirits.
Over time, the practice spread among common people and gradually evolved into the familiar bean-throwing tradition. Roasted soybeans were used because raw beans could sprout, which was believed to allow misfortune to grow again. By roasting them, people ensured that evil would be permanently sealed away.
During the Edo period, Setsubun came to be celebrated as a “year-turning event,” marking the end of one cycle and the beginning of another. Because Risshun was seen as the start of the new year in the old lunar calendar, Setsubun served the same purpose as New Year’s Eve—a time to cleanse the old and prepare for the new.
豆まき Mamemaki: Driving Out Evil, Welcoming Fortune
The image most people associate with Setsubun is that of families throwing beans while shouting 「鬼は外、福は内」“Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!” (“Demons out! Fortune in!”). With this chant, people drive away evil spirits from their homes and invite blessings inside.
The word mame (豆), meaning “bean,” is also a play on mametsu (魔滅), which means “to destroy demons.” Roasted soybeans thus serve as both a pun and a sacred symbol. Fire represents purification, and throwing roasted beans is an act of sealing away evil with the power of heat and prayer.
Traditionally, the beans are thrown toward open doors or windows to cast out the demons, then scattered inside the house to welcome good fortune. Afterward, each person eats the same number of beans as their age—sometimes one extra for luck—to pray for health in the year ahead.
In modern Japan, people often use individually wrapped beans or peanuts for convenience, especially in snowy regions. Temples and shrines also hold large Setsubun-e (節分会) ceremonies where celebrities, monks, or sumo wrestlers scatter beans before huge crowds. Among the most famous are Kyoto’s Yoshida Shrine, Naritasan Shinshō-ji in Chiba, and Sensō-ji Temple in Tokyo.
恵方巻 Ehōmaki: Rolling Toward Good Fortune
In recent decades, another Setsubun custom has taken center stage: the ehōmaki (恵方巻), or “lucky direction roll.” This thick sushi roll, eaten uncut and in silence, originated in the Kansai region.
Ehō (恵方) means “fortunate direction,” which changes every year depending on the position of Toshitokujin (歳徳神), the deity of good fortune. Facing that direction while eating the roll is believed to bring blessings and success for the year ahead. Eating it silently ensures that one’s wish remains unbroken, and keeping the roll whole symbolizes the idea of not “cutting off” good relationships.
The practice began to spread nationwide in the late 20th century, especially after convenience stores promoted it in the 1980s and 1990s. Today, ehōmaki is sold everywhere—from supermarkets to sushi shops—and has become one of the most recognizable images of Setsubun.
However, its commercialization has also drawn criticism. Some people feel the original meaning of quiet prayer has faded amid mass marketing and food waste. Yet despite these concerns, the essence of the custom—to pray for happiness and prosperity—continues to resonate across Japan.
Regional Traditions
Setsubun is celebrated differently across Japan, reflecting the diversity of local culture and climate.
In Kyoto’s Yoshida Shrine, fierce red, blue, and black demons appear in a dramatic exorcism ritual. At Naritasan Temple, famous actors and sumo champions throw beans to cheering crowds, while at Sensō-ji in Tokyo, monks and athletes scatter beans before the great hall of Kannon.
Some regions even reinterpret the meaning of demons. In parts of the Tohoku region, people chant “Fuku wa uchi, oni mo uchi” (“Fortune in, and demons too”) to express tolerance and compassion, accepting even demons as part of life. In snowy northern areas like Niigata and Hokkaido, peanuts are often thrown instead of soybeans, since they are easier to collect from the snow.
Through these regional differences, one thing remains constant: the shared desire to purify the spirit, drive away hardship, and welcome the warmth of spring.
The Meaning Behind the Ritual
The contrast between oni (demons) and fuku (good fortune) is not simply a battle between good and evil. In Japanese thought, demons also represent the negative emotions within us—anger, jealousy, laziness, and fear.
Throwing beans, then, is not just about chasing away external evil but confronting our inner darkness.
Fuku, on the other hand, represents gratitude, kindness, and the willingness to embrace positivity. Setsubun encourages people to reflect on their hearts: to release what burdens them and make space for renewal.
It is a spiritual housecleaning for the soul.
The prayers said during Setsubun—wishing for health, safety, and prosperity—are deeply practical too. As winter turns to spring, people have always been mindful of illness and uncertainty. Cleansing rituals like Setsubun express the desire to align body and mind with the natural cycle of renewal.
Conclusion: Preparing the Heart for Spring
Setsubun is far more than a festive ritual with beans and masks. It is a mindful tradition for adjusting one’s inner season.
By casting out the stale energy of winter and welcoming the brightness of spring, people prepare themselves—spiritually and emotionally—for a fresh start.
The cry of “Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi” is both literal and symbolic. It speaks to the wish to clear away misfortune, but also to the courage to face one’s own inner demons. True fortune is not something that comes from outside; it begins in a heart that is open and thankful.
When the sound of scattering beans echoes through homes, laughter follows, and the long winter seems to lift just a little. In that brief moment, Japan steps across the invisible border between seasons. Setsubun reminds us that renewal begins not with the calendar, but with a single mindful act of letting go.