We were lucky enough for the 3rd of February to fall on a Saturday so we could attend the “setsubun” (nut throwing) festival at the shrine near the Himeji castle. Marie, Tina, Jodi, Steve and I went to the shrine and got there in time to see the bonfire being lit where people put all their items they use to ward off the devil. Then a gong began and there was a parade of priests, children and two men in devil masks. They entered the shrine and reappeared to throw nuts out into the crowd – this apparently wards off the devil for another year. People at home throw out nuts around their house and depending on your age you must eat that number of nuts! The crowd went crazy to catch nuts and mandarins being thrown out into the audience. Tina and Jodi did some classic catches and were able to give us all some nuts which also bring you good luck for the new year.
1 comment:
It was fully like marks up trying to catch those nuts!! :-)
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