February 3 is typically Setsuban in Japan, the day before the beginning of spring in the old Japanese Imperial calendar and, along with the first day of spring, Risshun, forms part of the Spring Festival. In some years, Setsuban can fall on a different day, such as February 2 in 2021.

Setsuban is derived from a Chinese custom known as tsuina, which was first reported as being held in 706 AD, but its modern form didn't appear until the Muromachi period (1336–1573). Traditionally, on this date, the head of a household or a family member would throw roasted soybeans out their front door or the roasted soybeans would be thrown at a temple or aristocrat's house to drive off evil spirits, a custom called mamemaki and believed to be inspired by a monk having escaped misfortune by blinding an oni with roasted beans. Noteable exceptions to this practice are people with the surname of Watanabe, due to a tradition that oni avoid people so named for fear of their relation to Watanabe no Tsuna, a retainer of Minamoto no Yorimitsu renowned for defeating many of the strongest oni in Japanese legend.

More Information

Setsuban (Wikipedia)

Also see

• February (month)