{"id":45,"date":"2009-02-03T02:34:25","date_gmt":"2009-02-03T06:34:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/japanese\/?p=45"},"modified":"2018-07-27T18:04:02","modified_gmt":"2018-07-27T18:04:02","slug":"risshun-%e7%ab%8b%e6%98%a5-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/japanese\/risshun-%e7%ab%8b%e6%98%a5-part-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Japanese Culture: Risshun (\u7acb\u6625) Part 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

The last post described all the generic activities that most people in Japan perform on Risshun (\u7acb\u6625<\/strong>).\u00a0\u00a0While the generic activities are performed by\u00a0many people in Japan,\u00a0these generic\u00a0activities can\u00a0differ slightly depending\u00a0upon the region.\u00a0 Today’s post is a continuation of the last post, but with a focus on a case by case basis.<\/p>\n

For example, people in the Kansai (\u95a2\u897f<\/strong><\/span>) region of Japan will eat a type of maki zushi (\u5dfb\u304d\u5bff\u53f8<\/strong>) called eho maki (\u6075\u65b9\u5dfb<\/strong>).\u00a0 Maki zushi (\u5dfb\u304d\u5bff\u53f8<\/strong>) is a type of sushi that has been rolled with a bamboo mat called called a makisu (\u5dfb\u304d\u7c3e<\/strong>).\u00a0 A makisu (\u5dfb\u304d\u7c3e<\/strong>) is a bamboo mat woven together with strong cotten fibers.\u00a0 You can get an inexpensive makisu (\u5dfb\u304d\u7c3e<\/strong>) at your local asian grocery store.\u00a0 You just place a layer of seaweed on the makisu (\u5dfb\u304d\u7c3e<\/strong>), then spread some rice on the seaweed and some vegetables to go along with it as well.<\/p>\n

As mentioned before, the specific type of sushi consumed in the Kansai (\u95a2\u897f<\/strong><\/span>)\u00a0region on the haru matsuri (\u6625\u796d<\/strong><\/span>) is the eho maki (\u6075\u65b9\u5dfb<\/strong>).\u00a0 The eho maki (\u6075\u65b9\u5dfb<\/strong>) literally means ‘lucky direction roll.’\u00a0 Usually the eho maki (\u6075\u65b9\u5dfb<\/strong>) is sold in Japanese stores with a drawing of a compass.\u00a0 Each zodiac animal represents a direction on the compass.\u00a0 Since this is the year of the ox, the compass direction will point in a different direction than last year’s animal.\u00a0 Whatever direction the compass points to will be considered a ‘lucky direction,’ which means that buying a house in that direction or investing\u00a0in property in that direction will remain a good choice for the year.<\/p>\n

The region of Fukushima (\u798f\u5cf6<\/strong><\/span>) has this tradition of hanging some dried sardines and some holly on the entrance of their houses.\u00a0 It is thought that good luck will be brought to the inhabitants of the house by driving away evil spirits from the house.\u00a0 Also, the chant when the beans are scattered differs as well.\u00a0 Instead of the usual ‘Devil begone, good luck come in’ chant, the people of Fukushima (\u798f\u5cf6<\/strong><\/span>) chant the words, ‘oni no medama buttsubuse’ (\u9b3c\u306e\u76ee\u7389\u3076\u3063\u3064\u3076\u305b\u3063<\/strong>).\u00a0 This unique chant can be translated as “Blind the demons’ eyes.”\u00a0 (Oh, how spiteful! Glad I’m not an oni (\u9b3c<\/strong>)!)<\/p>\n

One curious aspect that doesn’t make much sense to me is the scattering of the beans.\u00a0 If I were a demon I doubt I would be scared of a couple of beans.\u00a0 In fact I would probably be attracted to the beans because I would view them as free food!\u00a0 Oh well, it’s just a fun custom, and I guess I shouldn’t get too caught up in analyzing it.\u00a0 Ok, that’s it for today, Happy Setsubun (\u7bc0\u5206)\u00a0everyone!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The last post described all the generic activities that most people in Japan perform on Risshun (\u7acb\u6625).\u00a0\u00a0While the generic activities are performed by\u00a0many people in Japan,\u00a0these generic\u00a0activities can\u00a0differ slightly depending\u00a0upon the region.\u00a0 Today’s post is a continuation of the last post, but with a focus on a case by case basis. For example, people in…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[2723,2832],"class_list":["post-45","post","type-post","status-publish","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-haru-festival","tag-setsubun"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t