Setsubun: A Reflection

Setsubun is an interesting way of ringing in the New Year and expelling back luck/bringing in good fortune. I couldn't relate with some of the practices like the throwing of the roasted soybeans, but the idea of turning something more theoretical and making it tangible is very intriguing to me. I think it can be really useful, especially for younger children, to be able to see what is trying to be done. It also allows them to be included into the ceremony, which I feel would be otherwise monotonous.

The only true "tradition" that I've followed throughout my life is that during holidays my mother and I deep clean our entire house; we clean the carpet, upholstery, dust and disinfect everything and sometimes rearrange the furniture. Major Christian holidays have always meant chaos in my household, and recently, as my mother looks into other holidays like the Chinese New Year and rituals like Setsubun, the amount of chaos has only increased. This is the only tradition I can confidently say we follow, though.

As far as personal experience with Setsubun, I had not heard of it before class the other day. I didn't have the energy to try any of the rituals except one. With my experience as a sushi chef in the past it really didn't take much effort to throw together an ehomaki, or fortune roll. Putting together larger rolls and being able to experiment with what goes in them has always been a calming experience (with the exception of lunch rush, but that just comes with the territory), and the ehomaki was no different. Unfortunately I was too hungry and too tired to bother taking a photo, but my roommate can attest that they were delicious. Personally, I used the nori and rice (as one does) and filled it with tuna, mayo, cucumber, pickled carrots, and avocado because that is what I had on hand in such short notice.

Whether or not you believe in the ritual, I do think that it's an experience someone needs to try at least once! I know next year when I'm a little more prepared I'm going to participate, but the little bit I was able to do was fun and worth the time!