February 3

In China it is time to welcome the New Year. In the USA it is the season to seek groundhogs checking out their shadows. And in Japan, it is time to throw dried beans at your nearest and dearest.

February 3 marks the change of seasons by the ancient calendar, and that is why it is called Setsu-bun. In my mother-in-law's native area, Akita, people mark the day by spiking a dried herring onto a sprig of holly and tacking it to the front door to keep evil spirits from entering the house. Here in Tokyo, we have more fun.

First you put on your devil mask. Then you grab a boxful of dried beans and start flinging them around. You are supposed to shout "Devils out! Good luck in!" as you hurl them at your family members and all around the room, not forgetting to toss some out the doors and windows.

Whether the ritual brings good luck and casts out demons or not, who is to say? But it is a sure way to ward off cabin fever.