A story about Setsubun and beans.

Hello everyone. I'm Wae, a citizen writer!
The theme this time is "Setsubun." What comes to mind when you hear the word "Setsubun"? First of all, you may imagine it as an event to drive away demons and welcome the new year. Setsubun is the day before the change of seasons, so strictly speaking there are four Setsubuns a year, but generally speaking, the day before the New Year, or the beginning of spring, according to the 4 solar terms is called "Setsubun."

Is bean-throwing with soybeans or peanuts?

When talking about Setsubun, one thing that is indispensable is "bean throwing."
This is an event that has been passed down since ancient times, in which beans are thrown on the night of Setsubun, with the slogan "Demons out, good fortune in," to ward off demons (evil spirits), purify the area, and welcome the New Year with a refreshed mind.

In some regions, sardine heads and holly are displayed at the entrance of the house. Both are said to ward off demons (evil spirits and evil spirits).
Ah, seasonal events. I'm glad to be born as a Japanese person. January is the month when I think about such things. This year, I want to get rid of not only demons, but also plagues. I want them to go away. I want to scatter beans with these feelings in mind.

At this time of year, Setsubun corners are set up at the entrances of supermarkets.
This year too, peanuts are lined up in huge numbers.

...That's right. In Kesennuma, according to my research, and in my household, the beans thrown on Setsubun are "peanuts." Peanuts in the shell. These are the mainstream (I think).
Eh? Is this it? This is the main item in supermarkets. If you look closely, you'll see that they also sell bean snacks and sweetened azuki beans. And if you look closely, you'll see that they also sell a small amount of soybeans.

When I was a child, bean throwing meant not only peanuts, but also a mix of different sweets such as chocolate, candy, and sweetened azuki beans.
"Oni wa soto!" (Demons out!) ← Throwing the peanuts out vigorously
"Fuku wa Uchi" (Luck is in) ← Children pick up peanuts and sweets. (Lots of sweets.)
The event was titled:
Rather than something sacred, it feels like a fun event for families to gather together.
But then one day, I noticed something. I was watching TV news footage of the Setsubun bean-throwing ceremonies held at famous temples and shrines around Tokyo. Sumo wrestlers, celebrities, and other famous people were seen throwing beans while wearing cool kimonos.

...They're not peanuts!

Soybeans? So soybeans are the official word? It was a bit of a culture shock for me (that's how familiar peanuts were).

After doing some research, I found out that this custom of "using peanuts" is not only practiced in the Tohoku region, but also in Hokkaido and parts of the Kanto region. Phew!

Even if beans fall on the floor, they are not unsanitary and can be peeled and eaten. Or, it was a place where they were produced in the first place. There are various reasons for this. If you want to respect seasonal customs, then either way is fine!

People in Kesennuma also enjoy eating soybeans!

However, it would be a problem if people misunderstood that the people of Kesennuma are neglecting soybeans... No, that's not the case. In fact, they grow soybeans in Kesennuma too.
And there are products that use it. Here it is! Masaki Foods' "Reconstruction Tofu".

This is a special product that is only known to locals. It is a delicious tofu with a rich bean flavor. They also use soybeans from Hashikami, Kesennuma. (They also use soybeans from Tome depending on the season. Wow. Is this a collaboration with "Okaeri Mone"?)

This tofu is used in the delicious "surimi soup" that is sold every year at the Meguro Sanma Festival, which unfortunately was not held due to the effects of COVID-19.
Cotton tofu is firm and easy to make, so it doesn't need to be drained. Silken tofu is smooth and delicious, like rich soy milk.
On the night of Setsubun, it might be nice to gather together with your family and enjoy delicious tofu dishes made with tasty soybeans.

And one more thing I'd like to introduce. It's an Indonesian restaurant in Mishione Yokocho called "Warung Mahal" serves up the delicious "Tempeh Burger" on the menu.

The Muslim-friendly cuisine, which mainly uses halal-certified ingredients and seasonings, is popular among local Japanese customers as well as the many Indonesians living in Kesennuma.
Tempeh, made from fermented soybeans, has always been on the menu, but after trying the tempeh at this restaurant, my impression of tempeh has changed.
I had bought tempeh at a supermarket before, but I wasn't really impressed with how tasty it was. But Warung Mahal's tempeh dishes are delicious! They're professionals after all. It has a mild flavor that could be used in a variety of dishes.
I hope that tempeh will become available in more restaurants.

High protein! The nutrients in soybeans

Now, let's talk a little bit about the nutrients in soybeans. The first thing that comes to mind when you think of soybeans is that they are high in protein.
Compared to meat protein, it is low in fat, low in calories, and highly absorbable!What's great about oysters?As I mentioned briefly in my previous article, the human body is made up mostly of protein.
Organs, muscles, hair, nails, skin, blood... So, consuming protein efficiently is essential for living a healthy life.
Soybeans are an excellent food because they are easy to digest, low in fat, and provide a good amount of essential amino acids! (But I'm sorry I didn't use them in the bean-throwing ceremony! I'll eat them! I'll eat them!)

It also contains lipids, carbohydrates, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, vitamin E, vitamin B1, folic acid, etc.
Another unique feature is that it is cholesterol-free. It is packed with functional ingredients that are unique to soybeans, such as soy isoflavones, which are great for women, soy saponin, which has antioxidant properties, and soy lecithin, which is a component of cells. (But it's still full of beans... the rest is omitted.)

When I think, "I'm going to eat soybeans for my health!", I wonder what to cook with them. But it seems like it would be fun to incorporate tofu and natto into a delicious menu. In my house, we put canned boiled soybeans in salads and stews, making them easy and delicious to eat.

Setsubun, or February, is the season for delicious oysters and cod in Kesennuma. Cod hotpot is the best on a cold day! This year, it's difficult to say "please come and visit us," but please try Kesennuma's delicious winter foods by ordering them online.

Check out Kazue's previous articles here!
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Here are our recommended Ehomaki for 2026!
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Person who wrote this article

Japanese painting

My name is Wae. I run a "town pharmacy" in Kesennuma. Kesennuma has a lot of amazing seafood! The freshness and nutrition are impeccable! I would like to talk about the amazing nutritional value of Kesennuma's seafood and specialty products. That is my ambition. My hobbies are boasting about Kesennuma and grilling delicious saury. I am really looking forward to next year's NHK morning drama "Okaeri Mone" ♬

• Winter:
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• peanuts
• Soybeans

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