“Setsubun” Festivities in Kyoto

An aka-oni (red devil), with large eyes wide open, at the temple Rozanji.

A sign listing Setsubun festival rituals is posted next to a torii gate at the shrine.

Hōsōshi, said to be a devil-god from ancient China, with four golden eyes and two horns.

Hōsōshi battles the oni with pike and shield.

The tsuina ritual ends with aristocrats letting fly with arrows.

The fire pot is filled with old scrolls and charms brought by visitors to be burned.

Fuku-mame (dried beans used in mame-maki) are sold in ¥200 packs at Yoshida Jinja.

Rozanji was founded around 938 by Ryōgen (also called Ganzan-daishi), who served as Tientai abbot of the temple Hieizan Enryakuji. Visitors throng to Rozanji when the oni-odori takes place.

The green oni dances, shouldering a maul and stomping around.

The stage where the oni hōraku ritual takes place is surrounded by eager crowds with their cameras.

The tsuinashi exorcist shoots his bow with a prayer to the five dai-myōō, the Deva kings of Buddhism who reign over north, south, east, west, and center.

The oni emerge from the hall in agony, dispelled, bringing the oni hōraku to an end.

Elegant geiko perform their votive dances.

Onlookers try to catch the beans cast by the maiko.

The dancing pavilion is surrounded by crowds of visitors.

Another popular performance is mame-maki by Yasaka Gagaku Kai, a troupe that makes devotions through performances of traditional music and dance.