Here we are. Spring has come at last. Or has it? Now not to trouble any understanding of Spring but last Friday was Setsubun. The day was a celebration of a division of the seasons. Practically speaking, winter has now been set apart and soon, very soon Spring will come -after this very snowy month of February passes on..
Setsubun (節分) as it was explained to us at the kindergarten on Friday, is a special day. Practiced yearly, someone dresses up as an Oni, or demon. We then cast seeds (dry soybeans) or perhaps un-husked peanuts at that character and chant, ‘Devils out! Good luck come in!’
The purpose of this practice is to cleanse oneself of any ailments -minor, mental, bodily or otherwise, and to thus welcome a new season and a new life upon oneself. How fun!
As you can see per the picture (below, soon to follow), I had a turn of being ‘chased out’ by the students. Many students also took turns casting peanuts at each other practising last Friday’s Setsubun tradition. I found this tradition to be very educational and fun. After all was said and done, and a few games were played everyone was apportioned candy and some peanuts. We then ate, according to our age/grade that amount of peanuts -letting the ‘good luck’ in.
And tonight we are screening a very fun film at our recreation hall (a detective-sleuth film set in Hokkaido). I am looking forward to the movie! As an avid movie-goer the movies have finally come to Embetsu if just for one night.
(I am actually not ashamed to say that today’s post is a copy of the post I met for my local town blog. So you are not missing out if you read only this blog. Fine! I am in the midst of an unaccounted writer’s block. I will however, continue to write if not simply about simple details in effort to keep up this ‘effort’ of posting weekly. I still thank you, and thank you for your reads.)
Until the spirit of reader’s-write strikes me again!
Oh, and I will tell that I am off to a local restaurant this evening for a fried oyster dinner set before watching our locally screened movie this evening! I am meant to try the coffee at this oyster-selling restaurant, too. I am very much anticipating discovering whether this restaurant serves brewed or instant coffee. As we have no cafes in town, and I love my cafes, tonights discovery could be a breaking/finding point.
Wish me the best.
For I wish you the best in your weekly endeavours!
Keep on with your coffee or fruit juice carrot blend drinking!
And, ciao.
The Traveller's Typewriter 