2025 Japan’s Mamemaki Ceremony: A Japanese Setsubun Ritual Marking the Transition from Winter to SpringNEW

Welcoming Fortune: Students Celebrate Setsubun with Traditional Mamemaki Bean-Throwing Ritual.Students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Kawasaki Reading Room participated in Mamemaki, a Japanese Setsubun ritual marking the transition from winter to spring. Wearing traditional oni (demon) masks, students played the role of demons while others threw roasted soybeans, symbolically driving away evil spirits and inviting good fortune. The event, which introduced students to Japanese customs, highlighted the cultural significance of Setsubun and its parallels with other traditions worldwide. Participants completed the ritual by eating a snack mix, following the tradition of consuming a piece for each year of their life plus one for the coming year.

Date 
January 31, 2025

Details
The Mamemaki ritual took place at the Kawasaki Reading Room at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Students, including Jerry Zhu and Hokuto Okabe, wore plastic oni masks to represent demons. Participants shouted "Fuku wa uchi!" (Fortune in!) while tossing beans to ward off bad luck. The tradition mirrors similar customs in Chinese culture, such as deep-cleaning homes before the New Year. Students, including Jessica Adkins, attended to learn about Japanese traditions and experience a cultural event. The Kawasaki Reading Room will host a Taste of Japan event on February 6 featuring ehomaki (sushi roll) and sunomono (cucumber salad), believed to bring prosperity for the year.