Culture

Why is a head of sardine at the entrance door?/なぜ鰯の頭が玄関に。

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Pocket

As you may remember that some people are excited around this period of the year because the first day of spring will start soon! 
In this year, 2023, it falls at 11:43 a.m. on February 4th. 
Hence, February 3rd is like the end of the year, called “Setsubunn” in Japanese.


The time when the season changes is considered as the evil spirits that cause illness and other misfortune or the ogres come. 
Aside from throwing beans to eradicate these ogres,  a head of sardine is known as an effective item.


The ogres are said to dislike the smell of grilled sardines and the rustling sound of dried soybean branches without soybeans. 
In addition, the sharp leaves of the Japanese holly tree would sting the eyes of ogres.
That’s why the bouquet of dried soybean branches, a branch of Japanese holly tree and a head of grilled sardine is perfect to eradicate the ogres.
The bouquet is decorated at the entrance door to block the ogres from entering a house.
The bouquet is called “Hiiragi-iwashi” or “Yaikagashi” in Japanese.


There is a unique Shinto ceremony called to “Yaikagashi” at Sumiyoshi Shrine in Hiroshima prefecture.
A few female attendants grill 1,000 heads of sardines.
When the smoke appears, a big fan can scatter the smell.
The ogres and other nuisances who symbolize the year would be completely eradicated.
After that, these sardine heads with a branch of a Japanese holly tree are given to the worshippers for free.
This holly ceremony dates back to the Heian period between the 9th and 12th centuries.


Throwing beans is conducted everywhere in Japan, however this practice is seen in limited areas.

Do you think Japanese people are superstitious?
I would love to know any similar practice at the change of the season if you conduct them.
Comment below!

【Translation for language learners of either English or Japanese】/英語・日本語学習者向け翻訳 えいご ・  にほんごがくしゅうしゃむ  ほんやく


覚えておられるかもしれませんが、立春がもうすぐなので人々はこの時期ウキウキします。
2023年の立春は、如月四日(午前11時43分)です。
如月三日は、大晦日のような日で、節分と呼ばれます。


季節の変わり目には、病気や災いをもたらす邪氣や鬼が来ると考えられています。
鬼を撃退するには、豆まきの他に、鰯の頭も効果的な物として知られています。


鬼は、焼いた鰯の臭いと豆殻のカラカラという音が嫌いだと言われています。
加えて、柊の鋭い葉は、鬼の眼に突き刺さるでしょう。
ですから、豆殻、柊、焼き鰯の頭のお飾りは、鬼撃退に最適なのです。
日本語では、『柊鰯ひいらぎいわし』や『焼嗅がしやいか』といいます。


広島県の住吉神社では焼嗅がしやいかと呼ばれる珍しい神事があります。
数人の巫女さんが、1,000 匹の鰯の頭を焼きます。
煙が立ち上ると、大きな団扇で臭いを撒き散らします。
鬼やその年の厄介者は、完全に根絶されるでしょう。
その後、これら焼いた鰯の頭は、柊の枝に刺して、参拝者に無料で配られます。
この神事の起源は平安時代に遡るそうです。

豆まきは、日本中至る所で行われていますが、この風習は限られた地域だけに見られます。


日本人は迷信深いと思いますか。
もし季節の変わり目に行う似たような風習があれば、是非とも知りたいです。
コメントお願い致します。

Pocket

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Miki

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  1. AvatarAnonymous says:

    I think cats will love to steal those sardine heads.

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    • MikiMiki says:

      Thanks for your comment!
      You’re right.
      It would drive away evil spirits but attract cats instead.

      0