Jan. 20.—Kura-biraki, that is, the day on which godowns are first opened. This is, however, more a name than a fact. Zōni is the dish of the day.
Setsubun is the name of a movable feast occurring sometimes late in January, sometimes early in February, on the eve of the first day of spring, Old Calendar. Beans are scattered about the house on the evening of this day in ordar to scare away demons, and of these beans each person present eats one more than the number of the years of his age.
N.B. Azuki-meshi, that is, rice mixed with red beans, is eaten on the 1st, 15th, and 28th of each month, these being the so-called san-jitsu, or "three days." On the 30th, people eat buckwheat vermicelli (misoka-soba.)
The First Day of the Horse (Hatsu-uma) in February, consequently a movable feast. This day is sacred to the Fox-Goddess Inari. For the little that is known of this deity, see Murray's Handbook to Japan, 7th edit., pp. 49 and 336.
March 3.—The Girls' Festival (Jōmi no Sekku), when every town is decked out with dolls. It is also called Hina Matsuri, that is, the Feast of Dolls. A sweet drink called shiro-zake is partaken of on this day.
March 17.—This and the next six days are the already mentioned great Buddhist equinoctial festival of Higan. On the actual day of the equinox, the sun is believed to whirl round and round at sunset.
April 8.—Buddha's Birthday. Images of the infant Buddha (Tanjō-Shaka) are set up in the temples for worshippers to pour liquorice tea (ama-cha) over with a ladle. This tea is then bought, and either partaken of at home in order to kill the worms that cause various internal diseases, or placed near the pillars of the house to prevent ants and other insects from entering.
May 5.—The Boys Festival (Tango no Sekku), when such warlike toys as bows and arrows are sold, and gigantic paper fishes are flown from the houses, as explained on p. 93. Except New Year, this is of all Japanese festivals the one whose outward signs are most effective.
June 22.—Geshi, or the summer solstice.
