There are many seasonal events in Japan. There are New Year's day (Jan. 1-3) and the coming of age day (the second Monday). The first even in Feburary is 節分（せつぶん／setsubun）on the 3rd.
On that day, family members throw roasted soybeans at a member of the family wearing an oni (Japanese demon) mask to get rid of bad luck and also welcome good luck. When we throw soybeans, we say "おにはそと(demons out)" and "ふくはうち(luck in)."
For more information, see click the link below.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Setsubun
Have you heard of this event?? Do you have similar culture in your country?
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日本の節分は私の家内の誕生日です。：）
ReplyDelete季節の日は中国もあります、'节气'と書きます。今年、中国の新年は１月２６日でした。中国の新年の意味は冬は終わりと春は始まります。
そうですか。じゃあ、節分と誕生日とイベントが二つありますね。日本の節分も、もともとは春の始まりのイベントでしたが、今は豆をまいてその年の幸せ願ったり、悪い運を追い払ったりすることが、主な目的となっているようです。
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of this..have you heard of Groundhog's day? It was at the beginning of this month - a groundhog in Pennsylvania is supposed to predict the weather. I always liked it because the groundhog has the same name as me (Punxsutawney Phil)...
ReplyDeleteIs there anything similar in Japan?
It's not really a holiday that you celebrate - it's just a silly tradition; if the groundhog sees his shadow in february, then winter is supposed to continue for 6 more weeks. When you are little your parents can take you to the zoo to see the local groundhog predict the weather. I dont think the movie Groundhogs Day had anything to do with the actual holiday except that the day the main character kept on re-living happened to be Groundhogs day...
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