Japanese Groundhog Day

Setsubun (this should be a Wikipedia link or something but to my knowledge, Blogger doesn't let one do that via iPhone) is not really much like Groundhog Day, except as it falls at the more-theoretical-than-actual change of seasons.  

For example, I don't remember people wearing devil masks, throwing beans and shouting, "Out with devils and in with good luck!" on Groundhog Day.

And I believe in this Japanese ritual just as much as I believe in the groundhog's ability to forecast the coming of spring.  That is, not at all!

But the kids really enjoyed throwing beans at one another.  Gently, of course.