[Tokyo/Kabukiza] Event information ②! Enjoy traditional events in Higashi Ginza, Tokyo, where modern buildings are lined up!

Previous “Event Information ①! Enjoy traditional events in Higashi Ginza, Tokyo, where modern buildings are lined up! ” is a continuation!

②February 3rd (Friday) Setsubun Festival

“Setsubun Festival” will be held at Kabukiza on February 3, 2024!
“Setsubun” is an important day for Japanese people that only comes once a year.

Let's learn together what "Setsubun" means and how to spend it!

Reference: https://matcha-jp.com/jp/1592

What is Setsubun?

`` Setsubun '' is a word that means the division of seasons.

The divisions between each season, spring, summer, autumn, and winter, are called Setsubun, and in Japan, Setsubun, the division between winter and spring, is especially valued as a custom .

The date is not fixed because it is determined based on celestial bodies, but it refers to the day before the first day of spring (roughly around February 4th every year).

Setsubun, which modern Japanese people celebrate as a custom, is the day that marks the border between winter and spring, as mentioned above. Escape from the harsh winter and welcome spring is a joyous and important day for Japanese people, just like welcoming the new year.

It is also said that evil spirits (*1) arise at this time of change of seasons, and it was very important to exorcise those evil spirits and welcome a new turning point. ”

*1: Jaki...bad things such as evil spirits

Rules for throwing beans

``Therefore, on Setsubun, we do a ``mame-throwing'' event in which people dressed as demons are attacked and exterminated by throwing soybeans at them while shouting, ``Oni is outside! Fuku is inside!'' Since ancient times in Japan, soybeans have been thought to have the power to ward off evil spirits.

The idea of ​​warding off evil spirits that try to invade during the change of seasons is said to have been passed down from China since ancient times. In Japan, people pray for good health throughout the year by performing this play where they throw beans to ward off evil spirits and bring in good fortune. ”

The soybeans that are thrown at the demons must be roasted, and the beans must be picked up and cleaned after the event. I thought it was very bad luck for sprouts to sprout from raw beans that I didn't clean properly.

Also, demons come at night, so bean-throwing should be done at night, after all the family members are together. After opening the front door and windows, the head of the household throws beans, saying, `` Oni wa Soto! (Demons out!) '' Next, after closing the front door and windows, he throws beans inside the house, saying, `` Fuku wa Uchi!(Happiness in!) ''

After the bean-throwing, people eat one more beans than the yearly number, hoping for good health throughout the year.

In some regions, there is a custom of eating sushi rolls called `` ehomaki '' instead of mame-maki, and in recent years it has been spreading nationwide. ”

event information

▲Beans scattered at Kabukiza.

This time, Kabuki actors will be throwing beans from the stage at Kabukiza! !

If you sit on the first floor, you might be able to catch it♪

Be sure to get some beans and get good luck for the year!

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■Date and time

Saturday, February 3, 2024 After the evening performance of “Saruwaka Edo no Hatsuyagura” (scheduled to be around 5 p.m.)

■Place

Inside Kabukiza theater

■Target

Those who watched the evening performance of “Saruwaka Edo no Hatsuyagura”

■Cost

Free if you watch the “Saruwaka Edo no Hatsuyagura” performance

■Performance tickets

February 2024 performance information/ticket information (Japanese)

February 2024 performance information/ticket information (English)

■Access

4-12-15 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061

[Train] Right next to Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line/Toei Asakusa Line Higashi Ginza Station [Exit 3] 5 minutes walk from Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Marunouchi Line, Hibiya Line Ginza Station [Exit A7] 10 minutes by taxi from JR/Tokyo Metro Tokyo Station