I don’t know about you, but I name quite a few demons I’d like to chase out of my life right now. They bear only a passing resemblance to traditional Japanese oni…
with their fearsome nail-studded bats, guarding the gates of Noboribetsu’s volcanic “hell”…
but even though the American variety are far more sinister, I’m hoping they’re no match for the time-honored rituals of Setsubun that have been practiced every February 2-3 for centuries!
Read on, for a step-by-step method of ridding your life of demonic forces the time-honored Japanese way…
1: First, you need beans
Soybeans, to be exact. Roasted ones. These are for throwing at the oldest male member of your family, who will be wearing a demon mask for the occasion. The demon must be pelted ferociously enough to drive him from the house, as you shout, “Demons out! Good luck in!” Save enough of the beans so you can eat as many as your age. This is not a hardship for five-year-olds, but 80-year-olds do not look forward to Setsubun. Plain roasted soybeans are never going to beat Doritos in the snack food wars.
2: Next, sardine heads
Once the demons have been given the boot, you don’t want them re-infesting. The best way to ensure they get out and stay out is to plant smelly fish heads and spiky holly branches all around outside your door. This may also have the desirable side effect of deterring religious proselytizers and sketchy individuals hawking magazine subscriptions.
3: Finally, sushi rolls
They’ve got to be filled with the Seven Good Luck Ingredients (eel, pink fish powder, egg, cucumber, dried bonito, mushrooms and rice), and eaten like jumbo cigars, not cut. Do not snarf these down until you’ve consulted your smartphone GPS compass, so you can turn to face this year’s Lucky Direction.
And even if Godzilla himself asks you where to find the nearest bridge to destroy, don’t talk to ANYBODY until you’ve swallowed the last bite.
If you’re in Tokyo on February 3 and would like to go to a Setsubun ceremony, I recommend Senso-ji in Asakusa or Zojō-ji in Kamiyacho – where you get to see celebs and sumo wrestlers toss the beans and prizes – but they have ceremonies at many of the best shrines & temples in Tokyo.
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Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly Japanagram newsletter, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had
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