Setsubun-sai is a Shinto Festival which takes place the day before the start of Spring in Japan. The name literally means "seasonal division". Families celebrate by throwing roasted soybeans outside the front door of their homes to chase out the oni (naughty ogres or spirits) or, even better for the children, throwing roasted soybeans at dad dressed up like an oni!

Naughty ogres or spirits

It is accompanied by a special ritual to clean away all the evil of the former year and drive away evil spirits, which are thought to bring decease, for the year to come.