February in Japan -- (Happy Birthday Michael & Craig)

February brings the promise of Spring, as setsubun, the last day of winter on the lunar calendar, occurs on February 3. Celebrated as a Buddhist festival, bean-throwing (mameki) seeks to invite good luck in and drive out devils, called oni. Oni are often depicted as ugly, red-faced, horned beings, the bringers of evil. A family member dons a devil mask and other family members throw beans at him or her – usually outside the home toward the Southwest, and inside, while shouting, “Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi!” (Bad luck out – good luck in!”)

So, just to be on the safe side, and honoring the ancient traditions of our adopted home country, we gathered at Ingrid & Jim’s just after dark the evening of February 3. Ingrid had a large bowl of dried soy beans for us to throw (and we ate a few as well). We took turns playing the part of the devil (attempting to suppress our personal comments) and the beans began to fly! Of course, we had already been celebrating with a glass or two of sake – for medicinal purposes only – and to ward off the cool evening. As we tossed the beans off their 5th floor balcony, there were fortunately no protests from the sidewalk below. Windley was there also (his wife Vicky was out of town) and we threw some beans toward his balcony, which seemed really funny at the time, although I can’t remember why now. As we threw the good luck beans into Ingrid’s living room, their cat Tommy, was intrigued with “something” landing all over the rug. (Indoor cats are easily spooked . . .) Ingrid teaches English in the evenings, so when her student arrived, we had her throw beans again just to be sure she got some of our good luck. She told us that her father always wore the mask & played the part of the devil in their house. She also brought a large roll of homemade sushi, which we sliced and served. It was delicious and she told us that it was her first time to share in making this traditional dish with her mother and grandmother earlier that day. We sat around the table telling stories – especially Stan, so I’m sure Ingrid had to do some explaining to her student after we left (hmm – lost in translation . . .)

Valentine’s Day is coming up soon and the Japanese also celebrate it, but with a twist. Women give chocolates or gifts to men, either out of a sense of duty or to express feelings. The bigger the gift, the more intense the feelings. Men typically do not reciprocate until mid-March, when white chocolates are given in return.

This weekend we’re going to the Miyajima Island oyster festival, so watch for an update. The last time we were there with Larry, Lisa & Andy, we ate some really yummy oysters cooked in their shells on an open hibachi. I plan to eat lots more . . .

Some of the preceding info was adapted from the 2/05 Iwakuni MCCS Preview Magazine article by Jamie Wurdinger.