Now Viewing: mamemakiTag type: General The custom of Mamemaki (豆撒き, literally "bean throwing") first appeared in the Muromachi period. It is usually performed by the toshiotoko (年男) of the household (the male who was born on the corresponding animal year on the Chinese zodiac), or else the male head of the household. Roasted soybeans (called "fortune beans" (福豆 fuku mame)) are thrown either out the door or at a member of the family wearing an Oni mask, while the people say "Oni out! Luck in!" (鬼は外! 福は内! Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!?) and slam the door, although this is not common practice in households anymore and most people will attend a shrine or temple's spring festival where this is done. The beans are thought to symbolically purify the home by driving away the evil spirits that bring misfortune and bad health with them. Then, as part of bringing luck in, it is customary to eat roasted soybeans, one for each year of one's life, and in some areas, one for each year of one's life plus one more for bringing good luck for the year to come. Other Wiki Information Last updated: 04/11/11 3:54 PM by jedi1357 This entry is not locked and you can edit it as you see fit. |
     
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