this year too,Demon exorcism event in Kyotohas arrived.Setsubun is held on February 3rd.

On this day, parents and children are together.“Oni is on the outside, fortune is on the inside.”While playing music in a loud voice, throw beans at the demons, driving the demons away and inviting good luck. After that, they eat as many beans as their age plus one.

Well, in any family, it is the father who takes on the role of the demon. Since Setsubun is the first day of the new Reiwa era, I often hear people say, ``This year, I'm going to throw beans at home.''

Now, the Bean Throwing on Setsubun to drive away these demons. When I interviewed researchers about Kyoto's events, customs, and history, the amount of information I received was staggering. This event is held every year, so I will disclose it each time, but this time I would like to write about ``mame-throwing'', a special medicine to drive away demons.

Why did I start throwing beans?That being said, thatOrigin: Kyotoseems to be in

"Setsubun" from the National Diet Library Digital Collection

The aristocrats of the Heian periodIn order to avoid unlucky directions, the custom is to take a detour to another location, stay overnight there, and then head to your destination the next day.was there.

Onmyoji practitioners, including the famous Abe Seimei, were able to predict this difference. They used to predict unlucky directions for nobles who were about to take such actions, taking into consideration the date and the star rotation of the person in question.

Especially on the day of Setsubun, the aristocrats took the best direction and threw beans in the best rooms to ward off evil spirits.That's what it means.

Then,Why are beans used as exorcism?In other words, I want to know if it will be a specific medicine to drive away the demons of the misfortune god.

It seems that the demon is being dismissed.
From the National Diet Library Digital Collection, “Loyal Subjects Setsubun-no, Volume 2”

It is said that the customs of the country were introduced when Buddhism and Yin-Yang Five Elements were introduced from mainland China. In addition, in Kurama, Kyoto, around the time of the 59th Emperor Uda (867-931),There is an anecdote that there was a demon in Sojodani on Mt. Kurama that tried to attack the capital, so he roasted a lot of beans and threw them at him, blinding the demon and escaping the disaster.Apparently this anecdoteIt seems that a bean-throwing event has started.

A demon trying to attack the capital.
"Oeyama Shutendouji Picture Scroll" from the National Diet Library Digital Collection

however,The beans used for Mamemaki have no meaning unless they are roasted.That's what it means.

beans to be thrown

When I interviewed a researcher of Yin-Yang Gogyo secrets and divination,``Roast'' is similar to ``shoot'', and ``gold'' in the five elements of Yin and Yang (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water) is a demon.corresponds to this“Gold” is weak against “fire” which melts metal objects.Therefore,Beans roasted over fire are a special medicine to ward off demonsIt was probably thought that.

However, unfortunately, why does the bean have to be soybean? I forgot to ask, so next time.

Since ancient times, merchants in Kyoto have said, in addition to "demons outside, fortune inside,"Since the reading of ``large luggage'' means ``Ooni'', it is a custom to invite demons along with good fortune by chanting ``Oni mo uchi, fuku mo uchi''.remains. it is,Business won't thrive if you can't get big luggageIt seems to have this meaning.

Setsubun events are held all over Kyoto City, including Yoshida Shrine, known for its 800 street food stalls, Fuzanji Temple, Mibu Temple, and Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. In this noisy world, we want to scatter beans to ward off bad luck and welcome spring safely.

Yoshida Shrine where the Setsubun festival is held from February 2nd to 4th