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February 3rd  is a very special day in most Japanese households… for that is the night when the” Bean Throwing Ceremony”. Mamemaki  is performed. The head of the household, usually the male or the eldest male whose birth animal matches the current year, throws roasted soy beans into each room, out the doors etc.. this is to cast away the bad luck and to bring in the good luck. While throwing the beans you  also a chant, “Oni wa soto, Fuku wa uchi” (鬼は外! 福は内!), which translates to “Demon out, Luck in”.

You can also throw beans at a member of the family wearing an Demon mask, the translation of Demon is Oni, hence the chant “Oni wa soto” or “Demon out”

Once you have done all the throwing of the beans you then eat the same number of beans as your current age, with an option for one more bean to bring good luck for the coming year.. Tonight my Mamemaki will involve me eating 39+1  beans.. all washed down with a few can of  Sapporo beer…

If you were following the Kansai traditions you would also be eating Ehomaki or lucky rolls, this is for the wife to eat something the same as her husband for good luck during Setsubun.

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The timing of this ceremony signifies the start of  the  Spring season, in Japanese its called  Setsubun or Risshun,  in actual fact according to the old Japanese calendar today is the start of the New Year, and that’s why today is the day for Mamemaki.

If you go to one of the  bigger shrines, celebrities and sumo wrestlers will be invited, and these events are televised nationally. Many people will come, and the event turns wild, with everyone pushing and shoving to get the gifts tossed from above. For me it will be a stay warm indoors Mamemaki….

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