Hello, I am Yoshi from NILS Japanese language school. Today’s topic is 節分（せつぶん）, one of the traditional annual events in Japan.
Setsubun lieterally means “the day between two seasons.” People celebrate Setsubun on either February 3rd or 4th, the last day of winter, and the day before the spring season on the present calendar. Bean throwing called mamemaki is done at home on the day of Setsubun. People scatter roasted soy beans inside and outside their houses shouting, “Fortune in (福は内/ふくはうち), devils out (鬼は外/おにはそと).” Then they eat the same number of beans as their age and wish for good health. Beans is “豆 (mame)” in Japanese and means good health.
This year’s Setsubun is February 3rd, but it is Sunday this year, so we did mamemaki at school today.











February 1st News, from NILS Japanese language school.