節分 / Setsubun

「節分」是為了表示季節交替而設置的節氣之一。具體是指立春、立夏、立秋、立冬的前一日，意味著「季節交替的界線」。然而在立春的前一日的節分最為重要，為了要避邪，日本的習俗上會撒豆子。一邊喊著「鬼在外、福在內」一邊在家裡面撒豆子。並且吃下和年齡相同數量的豆子。

Setsubun is a day in the traditional Japanese calendar, recognizing the feeling of changes of seasons. Setsubun is one day before the first day of each new season - Risshun (one day before spring) and Rikka, Risshu, and Rittou for summer, autumn and winter respectively. Setsubun stands for dividing seasons in kanji. Recently, Setsubun has been celebrated only in spring. Typically, it’s on February 3, and Risshun is February 4. To drive away evil spirits, beans are thrown towards windows or doors in one's home, saying “Oniwa Soto Fukuwa Uchi”, go away demon and happiness is ensured. Eating the same number of beans as one's age is believed to be fortuitous.