Today is Setsuban in Japan, the demarcation of one season to another.  While there are four through out the year the one marking the passing of winter to spring is associated more with traditions then the others.  More rightly known as Risshun it is also called Bean Throwing Festival becasue of the association of traditional throwing of beans during this time.  The male head of the family, the toshiotoko, will throw soybeans out the front door or at members of the family wearing demon masks to ride the house of evil spirts.  They will do this while chanting "Demons out! Good luck in!' or in Japanies "Oni we soto! Fuju wa uchi!'.

At Buddhist and Shinto temples people will be choosen to throw beans to waiting audiences.  These people will be both men and women, toshi-otoko and toshi-onna respectivly.  They are chosen based on the year they where born in the Chinese zodiac.  With 12 animals, one representing each year, the people who where born on the same year as the current zodac animal will have the honor of throwing the beans.  At some temples it will not be just beans that are thrown, but gifts of candy, small envelopes of money and other small gifts.  Celebraties are sometimes invited to these events and may even been televised. 

So have a happy Setsuban!

Jeffrey

I wanted to do a quick up date, the show was great seemed like everyone had a good time and the performers did an outstanding job.

I had a few people come and talk to me about the table I had set up which was nice the there seemed to be some interest.  I even talked with someone who would be a great co-host who is at least considering helping me out, more on that later after I get a chance to talk with her.

I will go ahead and let you know that for the next couple of days the blog may not have many posts as I have yet to find much in the way of holidays this week, but things pick up much more starting the week after.  Remember if you know of something going on let me know.

Happy Holidays!

Jeffrey

It has been a little while since I have made a post but don't worry this does not mean I have disappeared just getting things straight behind the scenes.  

Today I am going to a talent show that is being put on by L.A.O. (Laotian American Outreach) a Nashville based organization that is helping to bring the Lao community and all it has to offer to the attention of the general public.  They are a great bunch of people and I highly suggest going to their website and taking a look at all the wonderful work they do (but you may want to wait a little while as they are redoing their wedsite so it may not work at the moment, in the mean time check out their YouTube page)

Well, just wanted to make sure you didn't think I forgot about you and I will be posting more very soon and I will get a new Podcast up after the show and let you know all the great things that happened there.

Happy Holiday!

Jeffrey

P.S. you can also follow them on Twitter and Facebook.

Podcast

January 1st in many parts of the world is celebrated as the beginning of a new year.  These celebrations take different forms but people look to this day as a way of starting anew and find ways to to make a fresh start.  The most common thing people do is go to a party, to celebrate with loved ones.  Not only is this an extension of just wanting to party and have a good time but  many people believe that what you do during the time of the new year is what you will be doing for the rest of that year.  By trying to insure they are having a good time at the stroke of midnight means they will have a good time through the year.  This is also a time to clean out the old, getting rid of those bad things that have happened in the past.  We want to not keep the baggage of past mistakes or unfortunate events around to cause the coming year to be bad.  While in the United States the celebrations are centered around parting with friends other countries look to this time differently.  Russia is a good example where the new year is marked by exchanging of gifts with family and friends.  Similar to the traditions that are found in the U.S. this is the time to get together with family and enjoy their company.  The gift giving is reminiscent of Christmas in the U.S..  And just like in the holiday celebrated there the people of Russia will put off the buying of gifts and cause the last few days to be one of manic shopping at stores.

In the United States different areas will even have their own traditions, such as in the south east soaking lima beans over the holiday and eating them on the morning of the first to bring good luck. 

So I am using this day to mark the beginning of my new blog and podcast.  You will see many more things being posted from now on and I hope you will take a moment or two to let me know what you think of this endeavor as well as share with me some of your holiday traditions and even some of the special days you either celebrate or may know about.  Please accept my wish for you to have the best year and enjoy all that life has to offer.

Jeffrey Johnson