Bean throwing ('Mame-maki') poster
豆まきの時期がまた来ました。今年はまた戸倉上山田温泉の上の善光寺別院で芸子さんや地元の政治家などが高台から豆とプライズ券を投げる。毎年の2月3日に行い、2013年はちょうど日曜日となる。子供達は楽興が休みだから、大勢集まるでしょう。13時より本堂にて法要、13時半から豆まき・副引。
In Japan, February 3rd is a holiday called "Setsubun". It marks the midpoint of the winter season.
For setsubun, in everyone's houses someone (usually the dad?) dresses up as an 'oni' (devil) and the rest of the families throw beans at him chanting "Keep the 'oni' out, bring good fortune in."
And various towns have events where local dignitaries gather at the temple and throw beans mixed with prizes to the people gathered below. Here in Togura-Kamiyamada Onsen, the event takes place at the Zenkoji Branch Temple on top of the hill behind town. Local politicians and geisha ladies and others do the throwing. This year, 2013, February 3rd is a Sunday, so the kids will be out of school. It should be an exciting gathering.
Togura-Kamiyamada Setsubun
Zenkoji Branch Temple above the onsen town
Sunday February 3rd
Ceremony inside the temple from 1pm,
Bean Throwing from 1:30pm.
Last year's Setsubun bean throwing
