Casual — to friend
Cultural · Seasonal
鬼は外、福は内！ — Demons out, fortune in! (Cultural · Seasonal, Casual — to friend, JLPT N5)
You
鬼は外、福は内！
おにはそと、ふくはうち！
Demons out, fortune in!
Romaji: Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi! / Reply Romaji: Mame maki da nee. Tabesugichattara haradoukasoso.
Reply
豆まきだねえ。食べ過ぎちゃったらお腹どうかしそう。
まめまきだねえ。たべすぎちゃったらおなかどうかしそう。
Bean throwing time! If we eat too many, our stomachs will protest.
Gesture & etiquette
Cheerful, energetic delivery — this is a fun family ritual. Throwing motion with the beans, scattering toward doorways (for 'soto') and into the room (for 'uchi'). Smiles and laughter throughout. If children are involved, the energy is even more playful.
On Setsubun (February 3rd), Japanese families scatter roasted soybeans (mamemaki) while chanting 'demons out, fortune in!' to drive away bad luck and invite good fortune for the year ahead. Often one family member wears a demon (oni) mask while others throw beans at them. People also eat the number of beans equal to their age plus one for good health.