[Tororo Soup for Setsubun]
“Setsubun” means ‘dividing the seasons’ and refers to the turning point of the seasons. Originally, the day before Risshun, Rikka, Risshu, and Ritto were all called Setsubun, but since Risshun was regarded as the beginning of the year in the old calendar, Setsubun in general came to refer to Setsubun in spring.
In ancient China, there was a custom called “tsuina” to drive away evil spirits and plague, which was practiced at Court. This culture was introduced to Japan during the Asuka period (710-794) and became a ritual called “tsuina-shiki” in the Heian period (794-1185). In the mid Muromachi period (1336-1573), the chanting of “Oni wa soto, Fuku wa uchi” was added, and by the Edo period (1603-1867), it had become common practice to throw beans in the home. The reason for sowing beans is derived from the word “mame,” which means “to destroy evil spirits.” In addition, there is a Japanese custom called “sangu,” in which grain is sprinkled to purify and purify the body, and bean-throwing is considered to be a part of this custom.
In Nagano Prefecture, there is a custom of eating “tororo soup” over barley rice on Setsubun, and several theories have been handed down as to its origin. For example, some people believe that the yam looks like a demon's club and that eating it purifies the demon. Others believe that the way the yam is scraped looks like shaving a demon's horns, and still others believe that the slippery nature of the yam prevents the demon from entering the house.
In “Annual Events in Shinshu,” a book in the collection of the Nagano City Nagano Library, there is the following description. “In Nagano Prefecture, many people generally eat barley rice with grated yam soup for dinner. It is said that the earlier you eat it, the better. It is said that the purpose of eating tororo soup is to eat a big meal to test one's stomach as it will be the first day of the cold season.” The fact that the Hokushin region is a yam-producing region may have influenced the establishment of this food culture. It is interesting that a culture of gluttony has existed since ancient times. Enjoying tororo soup on Setsubun seems to be a good omen.
Ichiyougama's Mortar
https://www.shokunin.com/en/ichiyou/suribachi.html
References
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/節分
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/とろろ
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/追儺
https://web.hh-online.jp/hankyu-food/blog/lifestyle/detail/001171.html
https://www.athome.co.jp/vox/town/95291/
