日本語は英語の後に続きます。Japanese follows.
February 3 is “Setsubun” (Briefly written on
“Demons out!”). “Setsubun” is celebrated
4 times a year, the day before the first day
of spring, summer, autumn and winter,
but since the Edo period (1603-1868)
“Setsubun”has referred to the day before
the first day of spring.
This year’s lucky direction is west-southwest.
There is Eho-sha (lucky direction shrine) in
Shinsen-en in Kyoto, which I visited two years
ago. Shinsen-en is the only shrine dedicated
to Toshitokujin (Goddess of lucky directions).
Toshitokujin is a god that controls happiness
of the year in Onmyodo (yin-yang philosophy).
Eho-sha moves the front of the shrine to Eho
(lucky direction) every year. I had a bowl of
matcha with Japanese wagashi sweets
“otafuku” and “demons” (Briefly written on
“Fortune in!”).
2月３日は節分。節分は、立春、立夏、
立秋、立冬の前日の年に4回あるが
江戸時代から「節分」といえば立春の
前日をさすようになったそう。
今年の恵方は西南西。一昨年に訪れた
京都の神泉苑には恵方社がある。
歳徳神を祀る唯一のお社とのこと。
歳徳神とは、陰陽道で、その年の福を
司る神。恵方社は、毎年恵方にお社の
正面を動かすそう。
お多福と鬼の和菓子で一服。