Setsubun: Bean-throwing festival in Japan

Annual ritual performed to mark the beginning of the spring in the lunar calendar

Last updated: February 03, 2020 | 12:39

Compiled by Nathaniel Lacsina, Digital Content Producer

2 MIN READ

1/9

People try to catch lucky beans scattered by celebrities during "Mame-maki," a bean throwing ceremony, at Zojoji Buddhist temple in Tokyo.

2/9

Bean scatterers march prior to "Mame-maki," a bean throwing ceremony, at Zojoji Buddhist temple in Tokyo.

3/9

Guests throw lucky beans during "Mame-maki," a bean throwing ceremony, at Zojoji Buddhist temple.

4/9

A high-ranked monk walks prior to "Mame-maki," a bean throwing ceremony, at Zojoji Buddhist temple.

5/9

People try to catch lucky beans scattered by celebrities during "Mame-maki," a bean throwing ceremony, at Zojoji Buddhist temple.

6/9

Kindergarten children throw beans to a man wearing a demon-like mask and costume during a ceremony to drive away evil spirits and bring good luck at the Sensoji temple.

7/9

Kindergarten children throw beans during a ceremony to drive away evil spirits and bring good luck at the annual Setsubun Festival at the Sensoji temple in Tokyo.

8/9

Kindergarten children holding boxes of beans take part in a bean-throwing ceremony to drive away evil spirits and bring good luck at the Sensoji temple in Tokyo.

9/9

A man wearing a demon-like mask and costume to scare children takes part in a bean-throwing ceremony to drive away evil spirits and bring good luck at the Sensoji temple in Tokyo.

Get the latest news and updates straight to your inbox