Setsubun at Heian Shrine in Kyoto 節分

Setsubun, one of my favorite Japanese holidays, is the day where Japanese will drive bad luck in form of devils known as oni from their homes by throwing beans. I went to Heian Shrine in Kyoto to see one of the oldest forms of Setsubun. Setsubun is an exorcism ritual from China. When it was officially adopted by the Japanese court they used a type of shaman exorcist known as Hososhi. Hososhi wore a mask with 4 golden eyes in order to drive evil out in the four directions. Over time this position faded and later beans were used to drive evil away. Heian Shrine was built to reflect the old Imperial palace of the Heian Period (794-1192) so they have revived this old form of Setsubun. After Hososhi made his rounds, Japanese oni arrived but were later driven off by beans. Mame-maki (bean-throwing) followed with a Geisha and two Maiko (geisha apprentices) joining in.