Osaka

Setsubun... Speaking Partner...

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February 4th 2006
Have a happy Setsubun? Hehe, not quite. Yesterday (Feb. 3) was Setsubun in Japan. For those of you (like me) who have no idea what Setsubun is, here's a quick lil blurb: It's pretty much just chasing the oni (bad spirits - looks like a goblin) away and welcoming the good fortune to have a good year. Roasted soy beans (mame) are thrown around the house to get the oni out, iwashi (fish), a whol ... read more

Asia » Japan » Osaka » Hirakata

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In 1603, a Tokugawa shogunate (military dictatorship) ushered in a long period of isolation from foreign influence in order to secure its power. For 250 years this policy enabled Japan to enjoy stability and a flowering of its indigenous culture. Fol... ... read more