Setsubun

Setsubun is a traditional Japanese holiday, which celebrates the coming of spring. Timed with the lunar New Year, it is characterized by throwing beans at evil spirits (“oni”). The beans, usually soybeans, are thought to purify the house, and people chant, “Bad spirits out! Luck come in!” as they pelt helpless oni. The pre-school has an annual event to celebrate this special day, and it’s a blast.

One of my favorite things about the pre-school Setsubun celebration is the fact that it is primarily for fathers and kids. Moms can come, but they aren’t expected to do any work. What a great idea!

About nine o’clock, the dads began to show up at the preschool (this was Saturday the 27th). After the opening comments typical of any Japanese gathering, the kids and dads were divided into four groups. Each group then spent the next hour creating their oni. Using everything from cardboard boxes to construction paper, giant oni costumes were built, complete with clubs. Once the creative hour was finished, one dad from each group was selected to be the oni. Next, the students were given bags and sat around the room. The oni/dads lumbered into a circle on the floor, outlined by tape. The teachers then dimed the lights and blew a whistle to signify it’s time to pelt the oni/dads. Some children become very frightened of the large, strangely dressed men, but most kids happily chunk peanuts at the men as they yell, “Oni out!”

This peanut pelting continued for about ten minutes, creating an enormous mess. However, this is not a concern, since it was cleaned up in about five minutes as everyone present pitched in with a broom. They’re so efficient it’s scary! After the peanut mess was cleaned up, the fathers arranged themselves around the tape circle with trays of peanuts and candy. At the sound of the whistle, the oldest group of children took their turn collecting the thrown loot. Wearing their homemade oni masks, the kids now assumed the role of the “other world” demons. Each age group of kids had a turn and the dads obviously had fun throwing the treats up into the air. Many of the adults remarked that several of the kids were completely ignoring the peanuts and totally zoning in on the candy instead. Of course, Holt was one of these picky little oni.

Once all the food throwing was finished, the dads then broke up into groups to prepare lunch. The children ran around like crazy, playing with the now discarded oni costumes, while some fathers set up tables and others cooked. As usual, the meal was a common kid-friendly food: Japanese curry and rice with hamburger patties. There was fruit for dessert, and various juices and teas to drink. When the meal was finished, the fathers all cleaned up the mess while the children played a bit more. The entire event was completed around 1:30 or so. I think it was much easier on all the males in my family this year, since they knew what to expect, and everyone had a lovely time.