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On February 3rd, for "Setsubun" (Setsubun is the first day of spring according to the old Japanese calendar, or the so-called lunar calendar), "Mamemaki" (Mamemaki is a bean-throwing ceremony) was held at Nishiyama Kosho Temple which is known for "Fukui Daibutsu" (Fukui Great Bhddha) in the central part of Fukui City.

 

At three in the afternoon, they had the Mamemaki ceremony as they held a departing ceremony for the parade of "Otafukujin" (Otafukujin is god of fortune). After that, they had Mamemaki five more times between five and eight o'clock at night. During these Mamemaki, the illuminated Great Buddha and bonfire, which burns small pieces of holy wood for spiritual purification, stand out against the sky after dark. Then, many people visited and the festive mood was heated up.

 

The beans for throwing are roasted and packed in small plastic bags with letters, "Fukui Daibutsu Fukumame" (Fukumame means fortune beans in Japanese) printed on.

 

If there was a winning ticket in any of those bags, they would give you a prize. I heard that there are lucky charms as their prizes such as Daruma dolls (Daruma doll is a Japanese traditional craft, bringer of good luck).

I got the winning ticket and and my prize I received was a box of tissue paper.

I felt lucky though.

 

T.S

I visited Toka Ebisu Festival in Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture.

This festival is held from January 9th to the 11th every year.

 

In this festival, people come to Hokoku Shirine and pray to Ebisu (Japanese god of good luck and good fortune) for business prosperity.

 

About 10,000 people visit there in those 3days. There is a lively and happy atmosphere.

The girls selected out of 50 applicants are shrine maidens who keep ringing bells to wish for good luck,

 

and the other ones are at the festival booths selling good luck bamboo leaves and charms.

 

And 5 girls are specially selected for Fuku Musume (considered lucky girls who spread good luck to others as well).

They walk around beautifully and cheerfully.

 

The girls were not only beautiful but they were also calm.

 

I asked them a few questions.

One of the questions was the reason for them to apply for Fukumusume and Miko.

One of the girls said that she applied because a friend of hers wanted to apply together.

Another one said that she always came to this festival and wanted to become one someday since she was a child.

 

I also asked them about their goals and or dreams.

Most of them have not figured it out yet but one of them said,

she wants to be a nursery teacher.

 

In the afternoon, the two shrine maidens with bells led the parade of Ebisu, Fukumusume and a children band through the town.

 

Moreover, they did Mochimaki ( an event of scattering rice cakes for visitors at the festival) and offered cups of hot Amazake (sweet mild sake).

This was my first Toka Ebisu festival and I thought it was the most lively and cheerful one I have ever experienced.

 

By the time going home, I felt much more energized and happier than when I arrived there in the morning.

 

 

T.F