spring has come...really?

It was almost 20 degrees(celcius) in Tokyo yesterday, nice and warm,
springy air, containing lots of pollen. People sneezing, scratching eyes,
wearing masks.

A strong gust of wind, called HARUICHIBAN (first gust that blows to
announce spring), blew few days ago.

Chiffony, dress season!

But NnnnnnnnOOO.
It snowed. Yes, today.
Cold cold cold.

Back to down jacket days...

Coooooooold...
Brrrrrrrrr.

Waiting, longing for gentle picnic weather...

SETSUBUN why dry soy beans are sold everywhere today

SETSUBUN(節分) literally means a change in season,
and refer to an eve before the first day of each season.

SETSUBUN today is the day before the first day of the spring,
which is Feb 3 this year. It changes since it is set according to the
old Japanese calendar.

And the soy beans and ONI(鬼) masks at stores.
We throw soy beans at a person wearing ONI(devil) mask,
usually dads, to drive away the bad luck, saying ONIWA  SOTO(鬼は外).

Throw some within the house saying FUKUWA UCHI(福は内),
telling luck to stay in.

We call this MAME MAKI(豆まき).
Be careful if you have dogs. They might be happy going after the beans,
but they are hard to digest!

After the MAME MAKI, we eat the same number of beans as the age for
good health and longevity, but I kind of doubt that since I don't think it is
hard on stomach of elderly...I don't think it's a good idea for people over 80 to
eat more than 80 beans...