Setsubun

It is believed that evil spirits increase during the change of seasons, so there is a custom of throwing beans to ward off evil spirits. Spring is especially important because it marks the beginning of the year. In some regions, people decorate their houses with holly sardines, which demons do not like, to prevent them from coming into the house.

Beans are called "mame" in Japanese, where "ma" means evil and "me" means to exorcise, and beans are thought to have the power to ward off evil spirits. It is believed that the thorns of the holly leaf can sting the eyes of demons and demons dislike the smell of sardines.