Robert HardingSetsubun means ‘Bean-Throwing Festival’, and is held the day before the beginning of spring in Japan, in association with the Lunar New Year. It is seen as a ritual to drive away evil spirits for the year to come.
A geisha at the Setsubun at Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto’s Gion district. The geishas perform a dance before throwing lucky beans into the crowd (photos by age fotostock/ Robert Harding)
Temple monks and workers throwing the soya beans to people at Yasaka Shrine
A maiko, or apprentice geisha, taking part in the Setsubun
Costumed participants at Yasaka Shine during the festival
See more photos of Setsubun here
Beautiful pictures! The first Maiko dancing looks like Maiko Chisako-san ^^ I’m not 100% sure though. However, the Maiko out of her full regalia, in the pink, looks like Maiko Fukunae-san ^^ These pictures really are lovely, they both look beautiful~