'Setsubun' is a traditional Japanese event that marks the division between winter and spring. Spring, revered as the start of a new year, is welcomed with open arms. On this day, the customary ritual of "Mame-maki" (bean throwing) is observed in homes and at shrines and temples. People scatter beans while chanting "Fuku wa uchi! Oni wa soto!" (Fortune in! Demons out!) to drive away disasters and illnesses, which are symbolically represented by demons and believed to be more prevalent at the turn of the seasons.
Included in our Setsubun collection are small, palm-sized red and blue demons, each containing a bell inside. Bells are considered talismans to ward off evil, and their sound is seen as sacred, an offering to the gods. The demons have a small hole at the bottom, just large enough to prevent the bell from falling out.
Size: Red Demon: Approximately 5.5 × 5.2 × 5.5 cm Blue Demon: Approximately 5.5 × 5.2 × 6.0 cm Contents: One Red Demon and one Blue Demon each. Made in Japan
