Hello everyone!
Tomorrow is Setsubun! So,
Today I would like to introduce one of Japan’s traditional dento, “Setsubun”!

Setsubun is said to be a day to drive out bad things with the meaning of “May everyone be healthy and happy.”
They mamemaki while saying, “Outside the ogre, and inside the Fuku.”

『What is the outside of the demon and the inside of the Fuku? 』
In Japan, people used to call evil things “Oni” from long ago.
“Evil things = demons” are kicked out of the house → outside the demons
Everyone in the family lives happily → Fuku is home
Therefore, it is said that “Oni is outside, Fuku is inside”.

『Why are you throwing beans? 』
There is a legend that a long time ago, a demon was beaten with a soybean.
Also, it is said that if you eat as many beans as your age, your body will be strong and you will not get sick easily!

『Let’s eat ehomaki! 』
On the day of Setsubun, we eat “Ehomaki” for dinner.
Eho-maki is a futomaki that uses 7 kinds of sushi ingredients.
(*Futomaki is a type of sushi roll with rice and ingredients wrapped in seaweed)
When eating, face the lucky direction that is decided for that year, do what you wish for and eat without saying a single word, and your wish will come true. It is said that it will come true!
By the way, this year’s eho (horizontal direction) will be “south-southeast”!

This is just a traditional Japanese dumpling called “Setsubun”.
For those of you who live in Japan right now, why don’t you buy Eho-maki and Mame and enjoy Setsubun?