"Setsubun"

Yesterday, February 3rd, was a special day in Japan. "Sestubun" is a ritual in Japan, and always held on February 3rd every year. In Japan, people do a few unique (and strange) things on this day.

First, you must eat soy beans on this day. And you must eat the same number of soy beans as your age. (Or maybe it is the same number of soy beans as your age PLUS one. To be honest, I forget which it is...but, who cares! :) And before you eat the beans, you have to throw many beans outside the house yelling "Get out of here bad luck!!!" . And at this time, someone=this is my role, must wear a demon mask and go otuside and all of the beans are thrown at and hit this masked guy. After that, you have to throw many beans inside the house saying "Come in good luck!!!" Then, when everything is all finished, someone has to clean up all the beans on the floor. Any volunteers?

The next activity is eating rolled sushi. There are many kinds of roll sushi to choose from, which one do you like the best? My friend prefers the "Thick roll"! How about you?
And here are the rules for when you eat the roll sushi.
First, this year you must face Northeast whe you eat it.
(while eating it you should say a wish, or pray for something, or if you want to many things...)
Second, you can not stop until you finish eating the whole thing!
(So if you are like my friend and choose the Thick Roll, you got a lot of work to do!)
Third, and my favorite rule, is you can NOT talk while eating it. That's right, Silence!

Truly a beautiful and fun ritual. I hope to do it again next year too!
How about you? Did you do it last night? Are you gonna try it next year? I wonder what the two little fellas below think of this ritual???..........