Today in Japan is Setsubun, the last day before Risshun, the first day of spring in the old Japanese calendar. While homes first day of spring in the old Japanese calendar. While homes with kids will throw dried soybeans at someone wearing a devil’s mask chanting “out with the demons, in with good fortune”. If you eat the same number of beans as your age you will have you eat the same number of beans as your age you will have good luck in the upcoming year. I toured with the loveliest 94-year old so we had a good laugh about him eating so many beans.🥰

Many homes will be eating ehōmaki, fat rolls of sushi. Part of the ritual is to face a certain direction and to try and eat a roll without talking. This year the lucky direction is east-northeast.

Shinji, as a fishmonger, was out of the house early today to help support one of the busy retail shops. He said it was busy all day long with customers purchasing ehōmaki.

Here’s to a fabulous 2024 filled with love and laughter.