TOKYO. Japan and Spain have kicked off early February with vibrant cultural events as part of their long-standing traditions. In Tokyo, the end of winter was marked by the annual mame-maki ritual, while in Spain, the streets of Almonacid del Marquesado were filled with “devils” during the Endiablada festival.
On Sunday, hundreds gathered inside the Zojoji temple in downtown Tokyo to celebrate setsubun, the last day of winter in the Japanese lunar calendar. The mame-maki or bean-throwing ritual is a centuries-old tradition where people toss dried soybeans to drive away evil spirits and invite good fortune.
Due to rain, the ceremony, which is typically held outdoors, was moved inside the temple. Celebrities, including sumo wrestlers and actors dressed in traditional kimonos, threw soybeans to an eager crowd chanting “Oniwa soto, Fukuwa uchi!” — “Demons out, fortune in!”
“Demons out, fortune in!” echoed loud enough for those waiting outside to hear, as they eagerly awaited the next round. Participants, like Utako Iibuchi and her husband Masaaki, collected an impressive amount of soybean packages, snacks, and mochi rice cakes. “This is the first time we’ve collected so much,” said a beaming Utako Iibuchi, one of the lucky ones.
As part of the tradition, Japanese families also conduct their own bean-throwing rituals at home, where elders wear red-faced demon masks and throw beans at others. Afterward, participants eat the same number of beans as their age plus one for good luck and health. However, the Consumer Affairs Agency has issued a warning to avoid feeding dried soybeans to children under five due to choking risks.
Meanwhile, in Spain, the village of Almonacid del Marquesado was alive with the annual Endiablada festival, celebrated every February 2-3 since medieval times. The event honors the feast day of the Virgen of Candelaria and features men dressed in devil-like costumes and red miter hats.
The participants, known as “devils,” carry heavy copper cowbells weighing between 13 and 14 kilograms (28-31 pounds), which they clang as they dance through the narrow streets and visit the cemetery. The tradition is strictly reserved for men born in the village or their descendants.
Carmelo Sánchez, one of the “devil” participants, explained, “(The cowbells weigh) about 13, 14 kilos, but for us it is not tiring because we live it, we carry it inside us.”
Young boys also participate with smaller cowbells, ensuring the festival is passed down through generations. “It was very, very peculiar with so many cowbells,” said Hiroko Notomi, a tourist who was among the spectators. “It’s a very interesting festival and, besides, it’s not like a big city festival. I liked that a lot.”
Both countries embraced their unique cultural heritage in these lively festivals, demonstrating the enduring power of tradition to bring communities together.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
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- Paraluman P. Funtanilla#molongui-disabled-link
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla#molongui-disabled-link
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla#molongui-disabled-link
