節分
「節分」は「せち分かれ」とも言い、本来季節の変わり目、すなわち立春・立夏・立秋・立冬の前日を指す言葉です。特に現在は立春の前日(2月3日)を「節分」と言い、豆をまいて悪疫退散や招福の行事が行われます。Setsubun, literally means seasonal division. Back then it represented the day before the start of a new season. Now it is only celebrated on February 3rd, the day before the beginning of Spring. On this day, adults wear the Oni mask and the kids would throw beans at them as they yell, "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!" (Demons out, Luck in!) The Oni represents bad fortune and Fuku represents good fortune. They do this annually to bring in good luck. For more information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Setsubun
