Setsubun is the day before the beginning of spring in Japan. The name literally means “seasonal division”, but usually the term refers to the spring Setsubun, properly called Risshun celebrated yearly on February 3 as part of the Spring Festival. In its association with the Lunar New Year, spring Setsubun can be and was previously thought of as a sort of New Year’s Eve, and so was accompanied by a special ritual to cleanse away all the evil of the former year and drive away disease-bringing evil spirits for the year to come. This special ritual is called mamemaki (literally “bean scattering”). Setsubun has its origins in tsuina, a Chinese custom introduced to Japan in the eighth century.
We’ve compiled some of the Setsubun illustrations drawn by manga artists, illustratiors, animations and fans:
From Yuru Yuri creator Namori:
From the official Capybara-san Twitter:
From Hokkaido TV‘s mascot, On-chan:
From Yusagi Aneko (Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari):
From Little Twin Stars:
From the Assassination Classroom manga and anime:
From Arina Tanemura:
From animator Keiichi Honda:
From Nagian (Kanojo ga Flag o Oraretara):
From Cherry Arai (Mikakunin de Shinkoukei):
From Bandai Namco Games:
From Super Sonico (Santa Tsuji):
From illustrator MayoRiyo:
From ero artist Kohaku Sumeragi:
From confectionery shop Amezaiku Yoshihara:
From Nissin Chikin Ramen:
From Akarisakasu:
Kill la Kill by kengo1212:
More by kengo1212:
One-Punch Man authors One and Yuusuke Murata:
Love Live! School Idol Project by haruzo17:
Source: ANN, Crunchyroll
