Setsubun was "the eve of the new year."
——The reason for throwing beans and a moment of tea
As February begins, the scent of beans wafts from somewhere.
"Demons out, good fortune in."
Although these words are well-known, perhaps we rarely pause to consider their meaning.
Setsubun was originally "the day that divides the seasons." It's the day before Risshun (the first day of spring), a turning point just before the arrival of spring. In the old calendar, Risshun was close to the beginning of the year, and Setsubun was positioned like what we now call New Year's Eve.
So, this day is less about celebration and more about preparation. We throw beans outwards, and prepare to welcome good fortune inwards. The act of throwing and eating beans encompasses both expelling and taking in.
The use of roasted beans also comes from a sense of daily life. Unroasted beans would sprout. It was considered inauspicious for calamities to sprout—such practical feelings shaped the form of Setsubun. Including its fragrant aroma, Setsubun is an event that changes the seasons through the five senses.
There's also a theory that the demon's loincloth being tiger-striped reflects the calendar's transition from Ox to Tiger, from winter to spring. This connection between the calendar and playfulness is likely another reason why Setsubun has been cherished for so long.
In the tea ceremony, a "Setsubun kama" (kettle) is used around this time. Utensils and sweets with motifs of measuring boxes, demons, or Otafuku (a mask of a plump-faced woman) are sometimes used, but this is less about colorfully recreating the event and more about confirming the day's philosophy of separating the outside from the inside. After throwing beans and purifying the space, water is boiled in the kama, and a cup of tea is enjoyed. A cup of tea from the Setsubun kama is not so much a celebration as it is a quiet demarcation to return to daily life.
Finally, one thing you can do at home.
After the bean-throwing is over, take a short break with matcha, sencha, or even hojicha.
Steam rises, the scent of the room changes, and the inside of your body warms with a single sip. Setsubun is a day to drive out evil and a day to welcome good fortune. This moment of tea might be the most peaceful way to experience both.