Here's what the internet says: Setsubun is a holiday celebrated in Japan on February 3. It celebrates the coming of the lunar New Year and the coming of spring. Many Japanese people celebrate this holiday at the temples and shrines, where some of the ancient traditions are practiced.
One of the traditions of Setsubun is "mamemaki", throwing beans out of the front door of the house, or at the Oni (demons) in their Oni masks. When throwing the beans, the people say,"Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi", which means "Out with the demons, in with the good luck."
We celebrated this last weekend. Marshall came to the door with his mask on. He knocked on the door and the kids answered. The kids said "Oni was soto, fuku was uchi" while throwing beans at him. They were laughing and had so much fun participating in this Japanese tradition.
Thanks Takahashi family!
