XはYです

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Here are the key points of this lesson: Omission of the subject (Xは) Using 'は' for clarity Nouns in Japanese” Omission of the subject (Xは) In Japanese, sentences often omit subjects when the context makes them clear, unlike in English where subjects like "I" or "it" are typically included.  For example, "I am a student," "My major is Japanese language," and "It is 12:30" translate into Japanese as "がくせいです," "にほんごです," and "12じはんです," respectively, without direct subjects. Using 'は' for clarity If the context doesn't provide clarity, Japanese sentences can start with a topic marked by "wa" (は in hiragana), indicating "As for X, it is Y.” For example,  “わたしは がくせいです" (As for me, I am a student), “せんこうは にほんごです" (As for my major, it is Japanese language), and "じかんは12じはんです" (As for the current time, it is 12:30). The particle "wa" (は), used to denote ...
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Setsubun（節分）

Setsubun means seasonal division; 

risshun(about February 3), rikka (about May 6), risshū (about August 8) and rittō (about November 8). However, usually setubun refers to the risshun. On setsubun, people throw roasted soybeans. This custom is called "mamemaki" (a ritual to cleanse away all the evil of the former year and drive away disease-bring evil spirits for the year to come).

The custom of mamemaki first appeared in the Muromachi period. Roasted soybeans are thrown either out the door or at a member of the family wearing an Oni (demon/ogre) mask, while the people say "Demons out! Luck in (oni wa soto! fuku wa uchi!)."

The beans are thought to symbolically purify the home by driving away the evil spirits that bring misfortune and bad health with them. Then, as part of bringing luck in, it is customary to eat roasted soybeans, one for each year of one's life

Other custom of setsubun is ehō-maki (恵方巻 means "lucky direction roll", a type of fat rolls). On setsubun, people eat ehō-maki, facing the year's lucky compass direction, determined by the zodiac symbol of the year. This custom started in Osaka, but in recent years, it spread all over the Japan and it is getting recognized as a part of setubun.

You can buy oni mask, the roasted soybeans and ehō-maki at supermarket in Japan at the time for setsubun.



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