
Setsubun: the Birth of Spring on February 3
The Japanese may have switched to the Gregorian calendar in 1873 during the Meiji Restoration, but they still observe the seasonality of the Lunar calendar. One such observance is Setsubun, which occurs on February 3. While Oshogatsu, or the Japanese New Year holiday, takes place on January 1 and 2, still look to Setsubun as a New Year “cleansing,” in alignment with the Lunar New … Continue reading Setsubun: the Birth of Spring on February 3