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Japanese plum blossoms (ume) blooming in early spring, delicate pink flowers on branches in warm sunlight.

Before the Cherry Blossoms

Before cherry blossoms appear, another flower quietly announces the coming of spring in Japan. Plum blossoms bloom early, linger longer, and carry a fragrance that signals the season is changing.

Before the Cherry Blossoms

Before cherry blossoms appear, another flower quietly announces the coming of spring in Japan. Plum blossoms bloom early, linger longer, and carry a fragrance that signals the season is changing.

A quiet moment after Setsubun inside a traditional Japanese home, with a few roasted soybeans on the tatami floor while a person looks out toward a garden beginning to bloom with cherry blossoms.

Welcoming Spring

As Setsubun ends, the ritual reveals its deeper meaning. Before spring begins, people clear space in their lives and welcome a new season.

Welcoming Spring

As Setsubun ends, the ritual reveals its deeper meaning. Before spring begins, people clear space in their lives and welcome a new season.

After the Noise

After the Noise

After the noise fades, care begins. This entry looks at quiet moments after Setsubun, from cleaning scattered beans to marking time through simple rituals.

After the Noise

After the noise fades, care begins. This entry looks at quiet moments after Setsubun, from cleaning scattered beans to marking time through simple rituals.

Family standing at the entrance of a Japanese home, throwing roasted soybeans during Setsubun while chanting “Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi,” symbolically driving away misfortune.

Who Takes Part

Who takes part in Setsubun? This entry looks at shared roles, symbolic figures, and how families use ritual to release what everyone carries inside.

Who Takes Part

Who takes part in Setsubun? This entry looks at shared roles, symbolic figures, and how families use ritual to release what everyone carries inside.

Hands throwing roasted soybeans toward an oni on a snowy village path during Setsubun

Why Beans Are Thrown

Why do people throw beans at Setsubun? This entry looks at movement, direction, and how simple actions shift space before spring begins.

Why Beans Are Thrown

Why do people throw beans at Setsubun? This entry looks at movement, direction, and how simple actions shift space before spring begins.

At the Doorway

At the Doorway

Setsubun begins at the doorway. This entry explores why the threshold matters, how boundaries shape daily life, and why balance begins at the edge before spring arrives.

At the Doorway

Setsubun begins at the doorway. This entry explores why the threshold matters, how boundaries shape daily life, and why balance begins at the edge before spring arrives.