Got Soybeans?

Japan's most dangerous holiday, Setsubun, is approaching.

Held in the first week of February, it takes place at Shinto Shrines nationwide. In 2006 it's being held next week, February 3th.

Participants are pelted with beans, all the while bean-throwing priests (and their understudies) enjoy the fervor:

"Oni wa soto, Fuku wa uchi," meaning good luck in, bad luck out.

Settsubun goes back hundreds of years. It's a time to stock up on good luck, and tidy up those cobwebs of bad luck.

Just remember, when being pelted, don't lose an eye or accidentaly choke on a wayward projectile bean.