Haru Matsuri (Spring festivals)
Haru Matsuri (Spring festivals)
Toga Shrine, Aichi, a few days before Toshigoi-no-Matsuri ©
Springtime (January to May) is an occasion for many spring festivals, haru matsuri, often centred on the planting of crops. Different shrines countrywide hold their own celebrations on varying dates.
Rissun (or Setsubun)
Rissun is celebrated on 3 February and marks the beginning of spring. It is sometimes called Setsubun, although Setsubun can really refer to the beginning of any season.
Rissun is known as the bean-throwing festival. When celebrated at home, a male of the family will scatter roasted beans, saying "demons out, good luck in". At shrines, lucky beans are thrown into the congregation, who will attempt to catch them.
Toshigoi-no-Matsuri
This spring festival is a celebration to pray to the gods for a good harvest.