In the past, people believed that something bad would happen or they would become sick when the season changed. As these unfortunate events were all said to be the works of demons, people started to hold a ritual called “Setsubun” to exorcise them by throwing beans. Generally, boiled beans are used for Setsubun, but we use peanuts in my hometown Niigata.
When I was young, I visited a temple to see Oniodori (Demon’s dance) with my parents. It is believed that a child whose head is stroked by demons will grow up healthy. Having said that, I was very scared at that time.
By the way, who do you think is the pretty boy in the picture? He teaches Japanese in YIEAヾ(≧▽≦*)o
