Setsubun: throwing beans to chase away demons
"Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi": the early-February bean-throwing custom and why people eat as many beans as their age. JLPT N5 reading with translation.
Passage (Japanese)
節分は、二月のはじめごろにある行事です。多くの年は、二月三日です。
節分の日には、「豆まき」をします。「鬼は外、福は内」と言いながら、豆を家の外や中にまきます。これは、悪いものを外に出して、いいこと（福）を家に入れるためです。
まく豆は、いった大豆を使うことが多いです。「鬼は外、福は内」と言うのがふつうですが、言い方は、地いきによってちがうこともあります。
豆をまいたあと、自分の年の数だけ豆を食べると、元気にすごせると言われています。子どもも、楽しめる行事です。
Translation
Setsubun is an event held around the beginning of February. In most years, it falls on February 3rd.
On the day of Setsubun, people do "mamemaki" (bean-throwing). While saying "Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi" (Demons out, fortune in), they scatter beans outside and inside the house. This is done to drive bad things out and to bring good things (fuku, fortune) into the house.
The beans that are thrown are often roasted soybeans. Saying "Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi" is the usual phrase, but the way it is said can differ depending on the region.
After throwing the beans, it is said that if you eat the same number of beans as your age, you can spend the year in good health. It is an event that children can enjoy too.
Comprehension questions
Choose an answer for each question, then check.
Q1節分は、いつごろの行事ですか。
Around what time is Setsubun held?
Q2豆をまくのは、どうしてですか。
Why do people throw beans?
Q3「鬼は外、福は内」という言い方について、本文と合っているものはどれですか。
Regarding the phrase "Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi," which one matches the passage?
