Risshisha

Hello this is Imazu from Risshisha.

Kyoto's shrines and temples, including Yasaka Shrine,celebrate the "Setsubun Festival," "Setsubun-e," and "Oniyarai Shinto Ritual" on February 3rd. These activities, also known as "Tsuinashiki," are popular and attract crowds of people.
The event is held regularly on February 2nd, 3rd, and 4th at Yoshida Shrine, and its history dates back to the Muromachi period.
Until 9 p.m. on the second, and until midnight on the third. More than 500,000 people come to worship, and over 800 stalls await them.
It is surrounded by reputable businesses such as "Shogoin Yatsuhashi Sohonten," "Izutsu Yatsuhashi Honpo," ''Kawamichiya'' for soba, and "Tanzan" for sake.
Owners of reputable companies often stay late into the night to welcome customers. This scene is unique to Kyoto.

On this day, did you sprinkle beans in your usual way at home, shouting, "Oni is out!" "Fortune is in!"
A person who throws beans at others. People who secretly eat as many beans as their age. There are various types of people here.
At shrines, it is common for people who will be men or women of the year to enter the main shrine and sprinkle beans.

First of all, "Setsubun" is celebrated one day before "Risshun," which symbolizes the start of the year.
It is an event to keep off evil spirits and pray for good health through the year as we start the new year.
Tsuina, a New Year's Eve event, took place in the Imperial Palace during the Heian period.
This is a ceremony in which an onmyoji comes to expel evil spirits and prevent disasters from occurring.
​The event of ''Setsubun'', where individuals throw beans to keep off devils and pray for good health, seems to have faded among the imperial court but stayed popular among ordinary people.

“Setsubun”in Hanamachi
In Kyoto, it seems to have begun in the Edo period, when people would cover themselves and visit shrines and temples dressed differently than usual on Setsubun night.
Was there a reason for this to overcome the demons? If you view it with current common sense, you may feel like a dangerous person.
The crime was done by someone who knew each other( ?), and the neighborhood was highly accepting of the situation.

Even today, various groups of geisha and maiko perform in the theater zone, supported by consumers.
Each participant wears realistic costumes and dresses properly for the year's theme or role.
We'll see the teahouse's tatami room in groups of three. Each tatami room will provide you with a box of gold and alcoholic beverages.

Aside from geisha and maiko, the ''Hyottoko Odori Troupe'' is a popular attraction in Gion Town.
Each dancer performs their own hyottoko dance to the light adjustments of the shinobue.

According to a staying guest, ''Ehomaki'' is now available at supermarkets and convenience stores throughout Tokyo.
It seems that many people know of ''Ehomaki'' because they are lined up.
Sushi rolls made like sticks, in this year's lucky way.
The challenge is to eat the whole bottle with your wishes for the year.
In the past, you had to travel to Kansai to find stuff that was barely for sale at the time.
I'm amazed that it's suddenly become a national region. lol

Teiichi Yuki, who started the Japanese restaurant ''Kiccho'' in Osaka in 1930,
drew a large picture on the top half of postcards on February 4th, the first day of spring.
There was vertical ink lettering or gold paint on top of the red round sun.
I received something with the words ''Daikichi of Spring'' on it.
I used to work at a publishing company in Tokyo and received this postcard the next year after they assisted me in planning a magazine interview.
I remember feeling overjoyed and as if I had gotten something fortunate.


First days of spring
In the 24 lunar cycles, ''Risshun'' refers to the beginning of the year, and this year, it comes on February 4th.
Although the new year begins at the same time, this year's Lunar New Year (Spring Festival) comes on February 10th.
"Lunar New Year" occurs on January 1st of the "lunar calendar," which is based on the changing phases of the moon.
''Risshun'' is the ''starting point of spring'' in the 24 solar cycles, which is set by the movement of the sun along the ecliptic.
This appears to be due to a very different style of thinking.

"Hatsuuma Day"
is celebrated on the first horse day of February in the fourth year of Wado (711), Inari Okami was buried on the three peaks of Mt. I. Inari. ushimi Inari Taisha Shrine hosts the ''Hatsuuma celebration,'' which is named after this celebration.

New Year's Day was celebrated on February 6th of last year. Ten years ago, in 2014, New Year's Day was on February 4th, which was also the first day of spring.
During this time, the red banners are up and sekihan, ''inari sushi,'' and ''hatsugu dango are sold.

It becomes very crowded.
The word "Inarizushi" refers to Inari's followers (kenzoku: God's messengers) receiving rice with vinegar from Inari.
This name refers to the fact that it was stuffed with deep-fried fried rice, a favorite snack of foxes, and served as an offering.

In eastern Japan, it is known as "inarizushi." A straw bale that looks like a rice bale.
In Western Japan, it is known as "Oinari-san." A triangle made like fox ears.
Now that you mention it, the shape has changed.

"Hatsuuma Dango"
Celebrate On the first day of the first horse, a ritual was set up to honor the god of silkworms.
It is claimed that the name comes from the fact that white dango in the shape of a cocoon was used as an offering.

Fushimi Inari Taisha is now known as the most popular shrine, especially with foreign tourists.

Kyoto is buzzing with activities this February.
Why not come and enjoy the advantages of good luck,
good health, and prospering businesses next year?