Departments
Intermediate Japanese - Free Online Course
SETSUBUN
節分
"The Bean-Scattering Festival"
Setsubun is celebrated on the last day of winter on the traditional lunar calendar. The holiday marks the beginning of spring.
Since spring represents a new beginning, it is important to go into spring free of bad luck. According to Shinto tradition, bad luck can result from the presence of demons in a household. Therefore, Japanese scatter roasted soybeans around the outsides of homes on setsubun to scare these demons away.
Shichifukujin
七福神
The Seven Gods of Fortune
There is no exact Western equivalent of Japan’s seven gods of fortune, or shichifukujin. These seven deities are supposed to embody seven human traits that lead to wealth and good fortune. The gods always appear as a group, riding together in the takarabune / 宝船 (‘treasure ship”). According to folklore, the takarabune docks every year on New Year’s Day so the good luck gods can deliver their blessings. Pictures of the seven gods riding in their ship can be seen in private homes and public establishments. The image is supposed to bring good luck.
The seven gods of fortune are as follows:
Ebisu 恵比須 the god of fisherman and tradesman
Daikoku 大黒 the god of wealth and agriculture
Benten 弁天 the goddess of literature, art, and eloquence of speech
Bishamonten 毘沙門天the god of war
Fukurokuju 福禄寿 the god of prophesy
Jurōjin 寿老人 the god of longevity
Hotei 布袋 the god of contentment and happiness