Mamemaki, which is performed on Feb. 3rd here, is celebrated on Setsubun in the Japanese calendar. The word “Setsubun” originally meant the day before the beginning of each season (Risshun, Rikka, Risshu, Ritto). “Setsu” means season, and “Bun” means divide. Nowadays, only the day before Risshun (around Feb.3rd) is called Setsubun. On the day of Setsubun, after roasted soybeans are offered to the family altar, whoever was born on the year of the Asian Zodiac performs a bean-scattering ceremony saying “Oni wa Soto! (Go away Wickedness!) Fuku wa Uchi! (Come in Happiness!)” Then he picks up the number of soybeans that is his age (or his age plus one) and eats them, wishing for good health, without illness, throughout the year. It is believed that grains and fruit have the power to brush off wicked sprits and bring in happiness using the beans’ spiritual power.