Setsubun Beans and Oni Masks

A square, light-toned wooden box (masu) is packed with dry, roasted soybeans. To the right of the box lie two flat, paper-cutout style masks representing the Japanese oni, or ogre. The top mask is blue with brown hair and a fanged grimace, while the bottom mask is red with green hair, also displaying sharp teeth. Both masks are brightly colored with thick black outlines and are depicted against a plain wooden tabletop background.

These items are central to the Setsubun festival, a Japanese traditional observance held on the day before the beginning of spring in the old lunar calendar. During the mamemaki ritual, participants throw roasted soybeans at an oni or at a person wearing an oni mask to drive away evil spirits and misfortune for the coming year.