Setsu...what?
Every winter I ask myself the same question, as I mark off the days on the calendar, like a prisoner awaiting release.
"How many more cold, dark nights until this is over?" But as I have discovered, there really isn't an answer.
There is an end of winter custom in Japan that brightens the cold, darkness for countless people, young and old every February. The first time I heard the word "Setsubun" my immediate reaction was "setsu...what?" A friend went on to explain that in the beginning of February, the third, I should throw beans inside my house and also open a window and throw beans outside as well. While doing so I was taught to shout in a loud voice "oni wa soto", "fuku wa uchi" or "demons go out", "good fortune come in". Then eat as many beans as my age.
The first time I did it, I didn't have the nerve to actually shout out loud, I just whispered the words and quickly closed the window. I didn't want my neighbors to think I wasn't playing with a full deck.
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As the years have gone by, I have grown in confidence and now shout as loud as I can in Japanese, then again in English. For one day anyway, winter is fun and we have all those devils of winter to thank for it.
No matter how young or old you are, I urge you to throw the beans and scream as loud as you can, but just don't aim those beans at me!
And just one more quest ion..."How many beans will you eat this Setsubun?"
I am pleased to announce I will be a judge for the ALE Scholarship 2007, so get your applications in and good luck to all!
★English Test & Scholarship
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