Question 1

True or false: During Setsubun, it's traditional to throw peanuts at a person wearing a demon mask.

Accepted Answer

False. People throw roasted soybeans (fukumame), not peanuts, while shouting 'Oni wa soto, Fuku wa uchi' to drive away evil spirits.

Question 2

True or false: Setsubun is a national holiday in Japan, with schools and businesses closed for the day.

Accepted Answer

False. Setsubun is not a national holiday; it's a traditional event celebrated at home and temples, but it's a regular work and school day.

Question 3

True or false: Eating a sushi roll in silence while facing a specific direction is a key Setsubun ritual.

Accepted Answer

True. The ehomaki (uncut sushi roll) is eaten whole while facing the year's lucky direction, without speaking, to bring good fortune.

Question 4

True or false: The beans thrown at Setsubun are always raw soybeans, never cooked or roasted.

Accepted Answer

False. The beans are always roasted (irimame) to prevent them from sprouting, symbolizing that evil won't take root. Raw beans would sprout if thrown outside.

Question 5

True or false: Setsubun originally referred to the day before the start of each season in the old lunar calendar.

Accepted Answer

True. Setsubun literally means 'seasonal division' and historically marked the eve of all four seasons. It later became primarily associated with the spring transition.

Question 6

True or false: Setsubun is traditionally associated with the custom of mamemaki, which involves throwing roasted soybeans.

Accepted Answer

True. Mamemaki is the bean-throwing ritual performed during Setsubun to drive away evil spirits and bring good fortune, often with shouts of 'Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!'

Question 7

True or false: Some people eat exactly as many soybeans as their age plus one for extra good luck.

Accepted Answer

True. During Setsubun, it is customary to eat roasted soybeans—one for each year of your age, plus one more to invite luck for the coming year.

Question 8

True or false: Traditionally, roasted soybeans are thrown during Setsubun to drive away evil spirits.

Accepted Answer

True. Setsubun is a Japanese festival where families throw roasted soybeans (fukumame) while shouting 'Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!' to ward off evil and welcome good fortune.

Setsubun Trivia Questions