If I Wanted to Wear a Costume, I'd Audition for a Play

There's only one thing I like about Halloween and that's doling out candy to little princesses, Power Rangers, and wizards. Everything else -- scraping goop out of pumpkins, the color orange, and adult costume parties -- stimulates my gag reflex.

But here I am, living in a foreign country, doing my best to be an ambassador of good will for my native land. And the Japanese ladies think it's fun to wear costumes and carve pumpkins in October so that's that.

In an uncharacteristic display of good sportsmanship, this year I went the extra mile and ordered a costume on-line. The costume did not arrive in time for the Shonan party last week so some circa 1962 ingenuity was in order.

Witches, witches, and more witches

Pippi Longstocking arrived in Japan a few months ago. Our oldest sons were best friends in second grade at Star of the Sea School in Virginia Beach in 1993. It's been fun reconnecting with her at Shonan, book club, and Ikebana events.

Yoriko and Reiko attack their pumpkins

Medieval Wench Susan chats with Sumo Mimi. Inside the sumo costume is a little battery-operated fan. The menopausal women were orange with envy.

We dubbed this trio the Aladdins. The Genie is a former softball and basketball standout at Wayne State University. She'll put on the costume again to entertain Japanese children at the Yokosuka Community Center. Tia is Jasmine and you'll be seeing a lot more pictures of Tia because she's vice president of Ikebana this year. Cory the Sheik is the mother of two of Matt's friends; our paths first crossed in 1992, shortly before we both met Pippi Longstocking.

A witch poses with Trinity/Neo

This is Ingenuity, a Japanese cell phone charm. At least I finally got some use out of the Shinto priest's skirt that's been hanging in my closet for the past two years.

Oni wa Soto! Fuku wa Uchi!

If I'd been born in Japan rather than the United States, I'd be celebrating my brother's birthday by pelting him with beans. This is a tradition I fully intend to pass along to his children and grandchildren the next time I'm in Michigan.

Setsubun will be celebrated throughout Japan today. The customs surrounding this day date as early as the Ming Dynasty in China and, in Japanese form, began to take shape during the Muromachi Era (1392-1573) when customs like the tea ceremony and other genteel arts and practices often associated with Japan developed.

Setsubun is celebrated in many ways, but the most common custom is the traditional Mame Maki, the scattering/throwing of beans (mame) to chase away the evil oni (ogres/evil spirits). Sometimes the Toshi Otoko (which literally means "year man" but refers either to the "man of the house" or to men who born in the animal sign of the coming year -- tiger for 2010) will throw mame inside the house or at someone dressed as an oni and repeat the saying "Oni wa Soto! Fuku wa Uchi!" which means "Get out Ogre! Come in Happiness!"

After the ritual throwing of the beans, family members may pick up the number of beans corresponding to their age. Eating these beans promises good fortune in the coming year.

Unfortunately, it seems I ought to have sprung for the jumbo bag of beans.

Other celebrations of Setsubun involve eating Nori Maki, a special sushi roll. Particularly in Western Japan, many may face a "lucky direction" and try to eat the entire sushi roll without saying a word. Those who are able to accomplish this feat (the roll is about 20 cm long) are promised luck with their business, longevity, and freedom from illness.

In some places, the Nori Maki is made with a stuffing of seven colors which represent the Seven Gods of Happiness.

Tonight, many Japanese will decorate a holy tree in front of their houses with a head of a sardine, a clove of garlic, or an onion to keep the oni away for the coming year.

I think I'd better go get some more beans.

*Much of this entry was derived from an article written by Steve Renshaw and Saori Ihara, "Setsubun in Japan; A Lunar "New Years' Eve" (sic)
February, 2000 (Revised January 2010)