Setsubun

Today is Japan's Bean-Throwing Festival (Setsubun). I went to the temple, the priests chanted, played the taiko drum, and shook their tinkly metal instruments. This little developmentally-challenged man was plugging his ears - he reminded me of Heather.

Next, some devotees and priests came out on the platform and started throwing beans at the crowd. Throwing beans is said to get rid of devils. A good time was had by all.