The day before Risshun (the first day of spring), February 3rd, is "Setsubun." Setsubun is an event still celebrated nationwide, where people throw beans at someone wearing an oni (demon) mask while chanting "Oni wa soto, Fuku wa uchi" (Demons out, fortune in!), and eat Ehomaki sushi rolls. So, what kind of beans did you throw at the oni in your region? While many might answer "soybeans," in Hokkaido, "peanuts" are the standard. Why on earth did Hokkaido start throwing peanuts?

The Origin of Setsubun and Why We Throw Beans at Oni

First, let's explain the origin of Setsubun. It began in the Nara period when an ancient Chinese demon-exorcising ritual called "Tsuina" was introduced to Japan. By the Edo period, it had become a common practice among the general populace. In the past, Setsubun was held four times a year—for spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Among these, Risshun, which welcomes spring, signified the "beginning of the year" in the old calendar. The day before this "start of the year" was considered a special day, much like New Year's Eve today, and the Setsubun celebration on this day continues to be observed.

On Setsubun, people chant "Oni wa soto, Fuku wa uchi" while throwing beans to ward off evil spirits and pray for good health and fortune. There are various theories as to why beans are thrown. One suggests it comes from the phonetic similarity of "mame" (bean) to "mametsu" (魔滅), meaning "to destroy evil." Another theory points to a Chinese medical text stating that "soybeans kill oni poison and stop pain." After throwing the beans, it is customary to eat a number of beans equal to one's age plus one. These are called "Toshitori-mame" (year-taking beans), and this practice is done to wish for a year of good health.

Why Throw Peanuts Instead of Soybeans?

The type of bean thrown for Setsubun varies by region, with some using soybeans and others using peanuts. The regions that use peanuts include Hokkaido, the Tohoku region, and parts of Kyushu. The reason peanuts are used in snowy regions like Hokkaido and Tohoku is that "when you throw beans outside in the snow, soybeans are hard to find and pick up later, whereas peanuts in their shells are easy to spot." Another reason is that the shell makes them more hygienic than soybeans.

Meanwhile, in Kyushu, peanuts are used in areas like Kagoshima, and the prevailing theory is that this is simply "because it's a peanut-producing region." However, in Chiba Prefecture, one of Japan's leading peanut producers, they use soybeans for bean-throwing. The prefecture has been promoting the use of peanuts by holding "peanut-throwing events" since 2010.

Ehomaki is Great, but How About Bean-Throwing with Your Family This Setsubun?

Although it's called the first day of spring, Setsubun in Hokkaido is still at the tail end of a deep, snowy winter. These days, many people celebrate Setsubun by eating Ehomaki rather than throwing beans. As you dream of the coming spring when the snow melts and plants begin to sprout, why not throw some peanuts and shout "Oni wa soto, Fuku wa uchi!" to pray for good health and fortune?

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