Setsubun Mantoro (Lantern Festival)

Trip Start Sep 20, 2006
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Trip End Aug 17, 2007


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Flag of Japan  , Kinki,
Saturday, February 3, 2007

In Japan, Setsubun is the first day of spring according to the old Japanese calendar (lunar calendar).  On this day, there is a custom throughout Japan of throwing roasted soybeans while chanting "In with Fortune! Out with Evil" in order to prevent evil ogres from entering one's house.  It is commonly believed in Japan that the ogres are warded off by throwing beans, and that good fortune will then come to one's home.  On this day, events are held at shrines all over the country.  Also, according to Japanese tradition, if you eat the same number of beans as your age, you will enjoy a year of good health.

On February 3, the day before the first day of spring, more than 3,000 lanterns are lit at Kasuga Taisha Shrine in Nara.  These lanterns used to be lit up every night way back in the day, but now, they are only lit up three times a year: February 3 and August 14 and 15.  There are stone lanterns in the gardens as well as hanging lanterns in the corridors and shrine.  The garden lanterns are decorated with strips of Japanese paper inscribed with people's wishes.  The hanging lanterns in the corridors are each unique in design and are very beautiful.  I really enjoyed looking at the details of each lantern and choosing my favorites.

After enjoying the lantern festival, my friends and I walked past Kofukuji Temple, and there was an event going on, so we stopped to watch.  It was actually kind of creepy and was the Ceremony of Dispelling Ogres in which the goal is to ward off evil fortune and welcome happiness.  In this ceremony, Bishamonten drives away six ogres (people dressed in costumes).  After these ogres were driven away, a bean-throwing ceremony was held.  While the ceremony was really creepy, I really enjoyed looking at all the lanterns.
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