Setsubun (節分) is a Japanese festival on the eve before spring (according to the Japanese lunar calendar). One of the fun parts of this festival is a tradition called mamemaki ("bean throwing"). Japanese Dads or Moms dress up like the devil and kids throw beans at them to scare them away.
The beans used for setsubun (roasted soya beans) are sweet. Kids eat whatever they can't throw. Traditionally, everyone is supposed to eat the number of beans equal to their age (this is often exceeded for young kids).
Shines and temples all over Japan have ceremonies. In one common ceremony priests and invited guests (local or national celebrities) throw gifts into the crowd wrapped in gold and silver colored foil.
The gifts contain money, beans, sweets and prizes. Crowds become wild scrambling for prizes. Other traditions vary by shine. Here a shine performs a fire display.
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