Setsubun is the day before a new season starts. According to the Japanese calendar setsubun for Spring 2017 is the February 3rd.
In Japan we throw soy beans on setsubun as we say “out with the demon and in with fortune” out loud. An adult in the family (usually the father) may put a demon mask on and run inside the house. Then the kids will throw soy beans to chase him out of the house. This ceremony started because people believed that evil spirits were released every time the season changed. For good luck, we eat as many soy beans as we are years old on this day.
On setsubun people also eat an entire roll of sushi for a good luck. It’s not good to slice the roll because the luck will be cut off as well.
