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SETSUBUN 2

Mamemaki is a traditional event in Setsubun.

· CULTURE

Mamemaki literally means throwing beans to devils. We do this inside our homes and outside in Setsubun. We scatter roasted beans shouting, "Fortune in, devils out". In the past, people thought that devils went into our houses in the seasonal division called Setsubun. So, we have the traditional event to get rid of devils in our houses then. We also have a custom that we eat the same number of beans as our ages and wish for good health. When you come to Japan at the end of January and the beginning of February, you can see many plastic bags with beans sold in supermarkets and shopping malls.