Gosho Shrine Setsubun Festival
Beans are thrown while chanting “Devils out! Good luck in!” You might even win a lucky prize during the festivities!
Bean-throwing volunteers wanted.
About “Setsubun”
Setsubun is celebrated as the eve of the first day of spring according to the old calendar in Japan, but it also refers to the eves of the first days of summer, fall and winter as well: the turning points of the four seasons. Even though there are four Setsubuns, according to the lunar calendar the first day of spring heralds the start of the new year, so the Setsubun before the first day of spring (New Year’s Eve) has come to be regarded as the most important.
The Setsubun Festival includes a bean-throwing tradition, in which people born under the same Chinese zodiac sign as that of the current year throw roasted beans, in order to drive away misfortune and evil spirits, while chanting “Devils out! Good luck in!” This custom originates in China, and was introduced to Japan during the Muromachi era (about 1336 – 1573) as an annual event called “Tsuina” or “Oniyarai.” During the Edo era (1600-1868), it became widespread as a popular event for driving out evil spirits at the beginning of the New Year.
| Date | Tuesday, February 2nd, 2021 (cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic) |
|---|---|
| Hours | 10:00 a.m. - Shinto ritual and bean-throwing ceremony |
| Venue | Gosho Shrine - 359-1 Miyashita, Yugawara-machi ※About one kilometer away from Yugawara Station in the direction of Oku-Yugawara. Take the bus for Oku-Yugawara/Fudodaki, and get off at Gosho Jinja Bus Stop (about a 3-minute ride). |
| Inquiries | Yugawara Onsen Tourism Association Phone: 0465-64-1234 |
Bean-throwing volunteers wanted!
| Number of people to be recruited | The first 15 people |
|---|---|
| Participation costs | 10,000 JPY (Price includes a prayer fee, and costs for an amulet, an offering, a kamishimo ceremonial costume, and a group photo.) ※Elementary school students and younger: 5,000 JPY (Children do not wear kamishimo.)Please pay at the reception desk on the day of the event. |
| Schedule | 10:00 a.m. – Gosho Shrine: reception of volunteers, event preparation / putting on kamishimo 10:20 a.m. – Shinto ritual (main building) 11:00 a.m. – Ceremony to drive out evil spirits (specially-prepared stage) 11:10 a.m. – Bean-throwing ceremony (ends when the beans run out) |
