SETSUBUN
February 2, 2025 | 10:00AM - 4:00PM
Come join us on Setsubun where we banish the evil and welcome Spring with good fortune.
This event will take place inside the garden’s gates. We invite guests to make special oni masks, as well as participate in the Mamemaki, or bean tossing event. Special Masu cups filled with Roasted Soybeans for the event will be available for at JFG’s gift shop located inside the Inamori Pavilion. Guests can also enjoy performances, demonstrations, crafts, and food. Come join us for an exciting event!
Mamemaki
Mamemaki (bean tossing) is a ritual where roasted soybeans are either thrown out of the front door, or at a member of the family wearing an oni (demon or ogre) mask while shouting "Devils out! Fortune in!" (Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!), before slamming the door. The beans are thought to symbolically purify the home by driving away the evil spirits that bring misfortune and bad health with them.
Schedule
11:00am- San Diego Sanshin / Hula / Eisa Team
12:00PM- Honu Sumo
1:00PM- Kamishibai
2:00PM- San Diego Shishi Mai Kai (Japanese Lion Dance)
3:00pm- Mamemaki and San Diego Taiko
Food Vendors
Merchant Vendors
Activities
Oni Masks
Origami Oni
Go
Mamemaki (3:30pm)
Eho-Onigiri Making by Table for Two
Upper Garden | Education Center
11:00am-1:00pm while supplies last
Come join us in making onogiri versions of ehomaki! Ehomaki is normally a thick sushi roll, eaten in silence while making a wish, facing the direction of best luck (eho) specified for each year according to the way of ying and yang, the esoteric cosmology based on ancient Chinese philosophy where good and bad luck for that particular year are interpreted by observing natural phenomena.
When you post a photo of one of the featured Onigiri with #OnigiriAction and #JapaneseSeafood on your social media, 5 school meals will be donated to children in need.
