`Last week, on the 3rd of February, it was Setsubun - a Japanese festival that marks the beginning of Spring (ahahahaaaa. its -6 degrees today. Spring?!) and is celebrated by the expulsion of evil and the renewal of the spirit! How is this done? I am so glad you asked - well, what happens is, one person dons a mask of the devil / ogre called an 'Oni' and everyone else prances about chucking peanuts at him. And so, I had the great pleasure of being in a class of 8 year olds when their homeroom teacher put on his devil mask that he had bought at the grocery store and we all ran around the school pelting him with peanuts.`
This year, on this supposed `first day of spring`, I am sitting at my desk on a -14 degree day wearing a bazillion layers and trying to get through the 25 peanuts I am supposed to eat today to drive evil away for the new season (you`re supposed to eat your age in peanuts... which is harder than it sounds. It`s going to suck when I am 78, let me tell you).
Sigh... last year was fun. Throwing peanuts at the cute homeroom teacher. I did suggest in class earlier today, that Mr Katagiri put on the devil mask and that we attack him. He laughed nervously. But that`s hopeful right? I mean, he didn`t say no... It scares me how much I like throwing things at people.
Righty ho then. Back to work.
12 comments:
Awwww man! Japanese people are so much cooler... an event that involves throwing peanuts at someone? awesome. What do we have here? hiding eggs and looking for them? mehhh, boring! i'd much rather throw peanuts. haha! HAPPY SPRING!!!!!!! bahaha! its warmer here than it is there....
that sounds so much fun. and i agree with kym, japanese people totally know how to party. i mean, what do we have hear besides hiding easter eggs? lol.
anyway, so that means, i have to eat 20 peanuts? whoa that is hard if you were way older.
I want to throw peanuts too :) Sounds like so much fun!
I love to read all about those fun traditions. I can't wait to experience some in China too.
Have a great day!
Happy Spring?? Brrrrr!
wow that would have been cool! throwing peanuts at someone and you have a legitimate reason for it!
I love peanuts! Bring it on! ;)
That's not fair to 90 year olds who have no teeth left. But it does sound like fun. I might introduce it to my office just to get to pelt certain people with peanuts.
LOL! Be careful not to pelt those peanuts into someone's eyes! xo
Ay yi yi, that's cold! So funny about the peanuts though ... can you crush the peanuts and make them into peanut butter? It'd be so much easier to eat them that way. But yes ... I agree with Kym. Japan and Japanese people have the most awesome events and I'm happy you're here to share them with us :)
And if you still want to swap stuff in the mail I'm definitely down for it, I know it's been forever since we talked about it but I still have a bunch of things I want to send you!
Hahahaha....I love any holiday that involves throwing peanuts at people. I think I love Japan.
I was checking out all the various snacks too... but ya know.. for the 10 years I've been here.. never participated in 節分!"
I'm seriously considering celebrating Setsubun with Matt when he gets home. I've got peanuts... I can just explain after :)
haha here's hoping your homeroom guy steps up to the plate!
Sounds and looks like fun, love it! Gosh, you are gonna miss all of these fun activities, huh?
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