On Setsubun day, there are traditional customs of people removing evil things from their houses and welcoming good luck. In old times people believed that evil spirits such as ogres tended to come out during a change of season. Therefore people started some activities to try to expel ogres on the last day of winter. Then it became one of the major seasonal events.
It might sound funny, but for the ritual to expel ogres and to invite good luck, people spread roasted soy beans inside and outside of their houses, because ancient people believed soy beans have some spiritual power. People throw soy beans inside of their houses to invite good luck and outside of their houses to expel ogres. Also some people put holly branches on their front porch, too, because it has been said that ogres hate holly leaves. Many shops sell roasted soy beans and holly branches before Setsubun day as shown in the lower photos above.
Some of roasted soy bean packages for Setsubun contain a mask of ogre as shown in the upper photo above. As a part of the traditional custom of throwing soy beans, one of the family members plays a role of ogre wearing the mask, and other family members throw soy beans to the ogre-person to expel him. Families with little kids especially enjoy this simulated expelling activity.
After the activity of throwing soy beans, people eat the same number of roasted soy beans as their own age, as a traditional custom for Setsubun to keep a good health for the year. This one is easy to practice. So if you are wondering the effectiveness of soy beans' power you can eat the same number of beans as your own age today and experiment!
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