shima712

Setsubun: Fire-Fighting Demons and Crying Babies

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February 24th 2008
Setsubun is the day before the beginning of the spring season as associated with the Lunar New Year that Japan used to follow along with China. So, Setsubun used to be like New Year’s Eve until Japan switched to the Western calendar where New Years is January 1st. Setsubun is kind of like Japan's version of Groundhog Day in the U.S, but involves throwing beans at demons instead of a groundhog. W ... read more

Asia » Japan » Ehime » Ochi » Kamijima

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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