節分の風習 – 英語で説明するために – 英会話形式で学ぶ

Hey Key, I’ve been hearing a lot about Setsubun lately. It seems like an interesting tradition, but I don’t really understand it. Can you tell me more about it?

Oh, so it’s like a New Year’s cleansing ritual?

That makes sense. So how exactly do people celebrate it?

That sounds fun! Do you just throw them around the house?

Haha, that sounds exciting! What do you do after throwing the beans?

So if I’m 30, I have to eat 30 beans?

I see. I also heard about Ehomaki, the sushi roll you eat on Setsubun. What’s that about?

Is there a reason for that?

Interesting! And why is it not cut?

That sounds like a challenge! What kind of sushi is inside?

Wow, I didn’t know there was so much variety.

That’s interesting. I think I’ll try celebrating Setsubun this year!

Haha, I won’t! Thanks for explaining all this, Key.

What is Setsubun?
Setsubun is a traditional Japanese event celebrated every year on February 3rd. It marks the change from winter to spring and is believed to drive away bad luck while bringing good fortune for the new season. The word “Setsubun” means “seasonal division”, and in the past, it was observed four times a year. However, today, only the one before spring (Risshun) is widely celebrated.

Mamemaki – Throwing Beans to Chase Away Bad Luck
The most famous tradition of Setsubun is Mamemaki, or bean throwing. People throw roasted soybeans while saying “Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!” which means “Demons out! Fortune in!”. This is done to chase away evil spirits (Oni) and invite good luck.
After throwing the beans, people eat the same number of beans as their age to stay healthy and lucky for the year. Some people eat one extra bean for additional luck. In some areas, people use peanuts instead of soybeans because they are easier to clean up.

Ehomaki – A Lucky Sushi Roll
Another important tradition of Setsubun is eating Ehomaki, a thick sushi roll. People eat it while facing the lucky direction (Eho) of the year. The lucky direction changes every year and is based on the Chinese zodiac.
To bring good luck, there are three important rules when eating Ehomaki:
1.Face the lucky direction.
2.Eat the whole roll without talking.
3.Do not cut the roll. (Cutting it is believed to break good fortune.)
Traditional Ehomaki contains seven ingredients, representing the Seven Lucky Gods (Shichifukujin). However, today, many different types, including meat and dessert versions, are available.

Modern Changes to Setsubun
In modern times, some changes have been made to the traditional celebrations. In kindergartens and schools, teachers sometimes avoid using the phrase “Oni wa soto” because they do not want to scare children. Some places also say “Oni mo tomodachi” which means “Oni are also friends.”
Additionally, supermarkets and convenience stores have made Ehomaki very popular, but food waste has become a problem because too many are made and not all are sold.

Conclusion
Setsubun is a fun and meaningful Japanese tradition that helps people welcome the new season with good luck and happiness. The customs of Mamemaki and Ehomaki continue to be enjoyed, even as they evolve with modern times.

Hey Key, I’ve been hearing a lot about Setsubun lately. It seems like an interesting tradition, but I don’t really understand it. Can you tell me more about it?

なあキー、最近節分の話をよく聞くんだけど、なんだか面白そうな伝統だよね。でも、実はあまりよくわかってないんだ。詳しく教えてくれない？

Oh, so it’s like a New Year’s cleansing ritual?

へえ、それって新年のお清めみたいなものなの？

That makes sense. So how exactly do people celebrate it?

なるほどね。それで、具体的にどうやって節分を祝うの？

That sounds fun! Do you just throw them around the house?

なんだか楽しそうだね！豆って家の中で適当にまけばいいの？

Haha, that sounds exciting! What do you do after throwing the beans?

はは、それは面白そうだ！豆を投げたあとはどうするの？

So if I’m 30, I have to eat 30 beans?

じゃあ、俺が30歳なら30粒食べなきゃいけないってこと？

I see. I also heard about Ehomaki, the sushi roll you eat on Setsubun. What’s that about?

なるほどね。それと、恵方巻のことも聞いたことがあるんだけど、それは何？

Is there a reason for that?

なんでそんなことをするの？

Interesting! And why is it not cut?

へえ、面白いね！それに、どうして切らずに食べるの？

That sounds like a challenge! What kind of sushi is inside?

それは結構大変そうだね！中にはどんな具が入ってるの？

Wow, I didn’t know there was so much variety.

ええっ、そんなに種類があるなんて知らなかった！

That’s interesting. I think I’ll try celebrating Setsubun this year!

それは面白いね。今年は俺も節分をやってみようかな！

Haha, I won’t! Thanks for explaining all this, Key.

はは、大丈夫！ちゃんと確認するよ！教えてくれてありがとう、キー。

What is Setsubun?
Setsubun is a traditional Japanese event celebrated every year on February 3rd. It marks the change from winter to spring and is believed to drive away bad luck while bringing good fortune for the new season. The word “Setsubun” means “seasonal division”, and in the past, it was observed four times a year. However, today, only the one before spring (Risshun) is widely celebrated.

節分とは？
節分は、日本の伝統的な行事で、毎年2月3日に行われます。これは冬から春への移り変わりを示し、厄を払い、幸運を呼び込むと信じられています。「節分」という言葉は「季節の分かれ目」を意味し、昔は一年に4回行われていました。しかし、現在では立春（春の始まり）の前日に行われる節分だけが一般的です。

Mamemaki – Throwing Beans to Chase Away Bad Luck
The most famous tradition of Setsubun is Mamemaki, or bean throwing. People throw roasted soybeans while saying “Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!” which means “Demons out! Fortune in!”. This is done to chase away evil spirits (Oni) and invite good luck.
After throwing the beans, people eat the same number of beans as their age to stay healthy and lucky for the year. Some people eat one extra bean for additional luck. In some areas, people use peanuts instead of soybeans because they are easier to clean up.

豆まき – 豆をまいて厄を払う
節分で最も有名な伝統行事は、豆まきです。人々は炒った大豆をまきながら、「鬼は外！福は内！」と唱えます。これは、邪気（鬼）を追い払い、幸運を招くために行われます。
豆をまいた後は、その年を健康で幸せに過ごせるように、自分の年齢の数だけ豆を食べる習慣があります。さらに、1粒多く食べると、より運が良くなるとも言われています。一部の地域では、掃除がしやすいため大豆の代わりに落花生を使うこともあります。

Ehomaki – A Lucky Sushi Roll
Another important tradition of Setsubun is eating Ehomaki, a thick sushi roll. People eat it while facing the lucky direction (Eho) of the year. The lucky direction changes every year and is based on the Chinese zodiac.
To bring good luck, there are three important rules when eating Ehomaki:

1. Face the lucky direction.
2. Eat the whole roll without talking.
3. Do not cut the roll. (Cutting it is believed to break good fortune.)
   Traditional Ehomaki contains seven ingredients, representing the Seven Lucky Gods (Shichifukujin). However, today, many different types, including meat and dessert versions, are available.

恵方巻 – 縁起の良い寿司ロール
節分のもう一つの重要な風習が、恵方巻を食べることです。これは太巻き寿司を、その年の恵方（縁起の良い方角）を向いて食べる習慣です。恵方は毎年変わり、干支に基づいて決まります。
恵方巻を食べるときに運を引き寄せるための3つのルールがあります。

1. 恵方（その年のラッキーな方向）を向くこと
2. 食べ終わるまで話さないこと
3. 切らずに丸ごと食べること（切ると「運を断ち切る」と考えられているため）
   伝統的な恵方巻には7種類の具材が入っており、七福神を象徴しています。しかし、現在では肉やデザート風の恵方巻など、さまざまな種類が販売されています。

Modern Changes to Setsubun
In modern times, some changes have been made to the traditional celebrations. In kindergartens and schools, teachers sometimes avoid using the phrase “Oni wa soto” because they do not want to scare children. Some places also say “Oni mo tomodachi” which means “Oni are also friends.”
Additionally, supermarkets and convenience stores have made Ehomaki very popular, but food waste has become a problem because too many are made and not all are sold.

現代の節分の変化
近年、節分の伝統行事にも変化が見られます。例えば、幼稚園や学校では「鬼は外」という掛け声を避けることもあります。これは、子どもたちが鬼を怖がらないようにするためです。一部の施設では、「鬼も友達」という表現を使うこともあります。
また、スーパーやコンビニの宣伝効果で恵方巻が全国的に人気になりました。しかし、作りすぎによる食品ロスが問題になっており、売れ残りの廃棄が課題となっています。

Conclusion
Setsubun is a fun and meaningful Japanese tradition that helps people welcome the new season with good luck and happiness. The customs of Mamemaki and Ehomaki continue to be enjoyed, even as they evolve with modern times.

結論
節分は、新しい季節を幸運とともに迎えるための楽しく意味のある日本の伝統行事です。豆まきや恵方巻の習慣は、時代とともに変化しながらも、多くの人々に親しまれ続けています。