Setsubun Festival

February 4th marks the beginning of Spring in Japan.  On February 3rd, they celebrate Setsubun, the "seasonal division".  On Setsubun it is tradition for the Japanese to have a bean throwing ritual where they throw roasted soybeans at someone dressed up like a demon to drive away evil spirits from the coming year.  We went to the Ashikaga where they had a parade and armor festival for the occasion.

Lighting the lantern

Lined up for parade

Walking to the sound of battle drums and a conch horn

On the way to the Temple to scatter beans

Food stalls as always

Just to throw it in Spring's face, it snowed two days later.  Guess I'll be needing that scarf after all!