Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Setubun "節分”

Wishing "Demons out! Luck in!" on Feb. 3rd. Setsubun 節分,
(節分Bean-Throwing Festival or Bean-Throwing Ceremony) is the day before the beginning of spring in Japan. The name literally means "seasonal division", but usually the term refers to the spring Setsubun, properly called Risshun (立春) celebrated yearly on February 3 as part of the Spring Festival (春祭 haru matsuri). In its association with the Lunar New Year, Spring Setsubun can be and was previously thought of as a sort of New Year's Eve, and so was accompanied by a special ritual to cleanse away all the evil of the former year and drive away disease-bringing evil spirits for the year to come. This special ritual is called mamemaki (豆撒き, literally "bean throwing"). I personally have never missed doing this tradition p;)  link picture page

While throwing beans we say, "Demons out! Luck in!"
 (鬼は外! 福は内! Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!)


恵方巻き Good Fortune Sushi Rolls
Eho-maki (fortune rolls) are futo-maki (thick sushi rolls) eaten on the night of Setsubun. To be related with the Seven Deities of Good Fortune called Shichifukujin, seven fillings are traditionally rolled in a sushi roll. For example, simmered shiitake mushrooms and kanpyo (dried gourd), cucumber, rolled omelet (tamagoyaki), eels, sakura denbu (sweet fish powder), and seasoned koyadofu (freeze-dried tofu) are used. These ingredients represent good health, happiness, and prosperity, and rolling the fillings means good fortune. I remember my mother used to make them for us, but I just buy ready-made one(^^;)   link picture page





PS> I really do appreciate your sweet comments for my blogversary and my father's birthday, my friends. Now I'm having students entrance examinations season and hoping their good luck!    I'll promise stopping by tomorrow♡♡♡




13 comments:

  1. What a terrific festival, my dear friend Miyako! It looks wonderful, and the food looks great. I hope your students do very well on their exams, but then I know they will because you are a superb teacher. Best wishes to them and you!

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  2. Dearest Miyako san,
    That is a very special way of celebrating the ending and beginning of new life as spring in fact is. Also for forgetting about the bad, the negative and hoping for a good and fresh new start. Great tradition with yummy food!
    Hugs to you dear friend,
    Mariette

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  3. I love setsubun. It is such fun event!
    I don't renember eho-maki though.
    I'm sure they were on dining table and I simply don't remenber...haha, it's been a while since I had setsubun :-)
    They sure look delicious!

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  4. i hope your students do well! :) i like the seasonal change celebrations/traditions.

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  5. Hi Miyako. I agree with Shelly - good luck to all your students. I really hope they do well. I just know that you are a very inspirational teacher! Another interesting festival you have explained to us here. I think I would quite enjoy throwing the beans!! I pray that the Devil goes out for you my friend, and that lots of good luck comes your way during the coming year. Take care xx

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  6. I sooo love sushi, maybe one day I will taste it in Japan!

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  7. It is wonderful to have festivals and days of remembrance. Thank you for sharing what you do to welcome spring. I also wish good luck to your students. God bless, dear Miyako.

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  8. Hi my Dearest Miyako,

    Happy festival there in Japan. OMG.. you making me starving with those sushi Eho-maki and futo-maki. I miss Japanese food. little washabi and soya souce mm yummy ..perfect!
    thanks for sharing those dishes even only pics.
    good luck for your students.
    love to you

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  9. Dearest Miyako sama!
    Tamagoyaki, oni wa soto Fuku wa nchi.
    Anata no bloversary your father's birthday and all friend with students.
    Anatano karadani kiotukete kudasai-mase.
    Thinking about a beautiful Japan.
    Michiko

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  10. I've never missed scattering beans and eating futomaki,too. Before I cooked norimaki but now I buy two norimakis. I felt uneasy when our children's entrance examination came.
    Have a lovely day!

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  11. Dearest little sister,
    It is always facinating to read about the traditions of other cultures and the way you explain them makes them come alive for me. I wish your students luck but with you teaching them I'm sure they really won't need luck. Have a wonderful weekend. Much love from your bs

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  12. I love the idea of Wishing "Demons out! Luck in!" and believe I will have my own as well. Have a beautiful day sweetie!

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  13. Dear Miyako, I really like to visit Japan in the future. That is one of my wish. I like Japan, because of its unique traditions. I love Japanese food, too!

    Greetings!

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