著者

菅宮 健

出版者

日本生活学会

雑誌

生活學論叢

巻号頁・発行日

no.5, pp.3-14, 2000-09-30

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It has been a long-established tradition to scatter soybeans in the bean-scattering ceremony on setsubun, the eve of the beginning of spring. However, recently in Hokkaido district, people use peanuts instead of soybeans in this ceremony. In order to investigate changes of manners and customs followed on setsubun, a survey was made throughout Japan by means of questionnaires. All of respondents in Hokkaido and about 80% in Tohoku district were shown to scatter peanuts. In other districts many respondents used soybeans and those who chose peanuts were minor. A change from soybeans to peanuts was estimated to occur earlier in Hokkaido than in Tohoku. Reasons of this change were discussed in connection with the characteristic style of indoor living in Hokkaido. A new trend was found to spread from Kinki to neighboring districts. On setsubun, many people there eat in silence futomaki whole, big vinegared rice rolled in dried laver, looking toward a lucky direction of the year and praying for good luck. The custom to eat as many beans as one's age on this day was shown to prevail throughout the country, but that to decorate fish heads on sprays to be less popular.