This is the time of year where everyone is looking to start a new page. Even though our new year has past, the new year here is still in full swing. China’s New Year is coming soon and Japan just recently celebrated what is known as the Setsubun Festival. In this festival it’s common to clean yourself of evil and start anew! A very common practice is for a family member to use a paper mask in the image of a demon to parade outside the home. That’s when the rest of the family proceeds to brutally assault them with….. soybeans. That’s right, soybeans. GET OUT DEMON, or I shall smite thee with my mighty soybean! I find it an awesome tradition! I think for kids, its even more fun. Unfortunately this tradition is slowly dying out and becoming one of those things of times passed.

Ohs Noes!

Image: Courtesy of wikipedia