Setsubun

節分豆撒き setsubun-mamemaki

“soya bean throwing”

Mamemaki (bean throwing) – here at Kanda Myôjin shrine in Tôkyô – is a ceremony held as part of the setsubun celebration (drive out demons and devils with roasted soya beans at the end of winter and the start of spring) in order to ward off disasters and accidents, ensure good health and to bring good fortune.