Last Friday I was at elementary school and I realized that the next day was Groundhog Day. Somehow this came up in conversation with one of the teachers and I explained the tradition. As it turns out, Japan has its own early February tradition.
On February 3rd or 4th the Japanese take part in a ritual called mamemaki in order to drive out the demons from their homes and offices and to usher in spring and happiness. Since the 3rd fell on the weekend, the school observed this custom on Friday.
One of the teachers came to the room where I was teaching in an "Oni" (demon) mask. The kids (and I) threw peanuts at him to drive him away. That's right folks. Mamemaki means bean throwing. Traditionally soy beans would be used (and then eaten) but the peanuts had those convenient shells.
The Japanese tradition is definitely MUCH cooler than Groundhog's Day!
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