Setsubun at Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto!

On Sunday, the 3rd of February, the yearly setstubun festival was held at the Yasaka shrine (八坂神社) in Kyoto! Many people had gathered around the Kaguraden (神楽殿) for the musicians and dancers to start the ceremony. Four ladies in colourful dress performed a traditional dance while the musicians played the hichiriki (篳篥). After the dance the musicians and dancers throwing beans and chanting the phrase, 'Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi'. This means, 'Demons out, luck in,'. The Kaguraden of Yasaka shrine was nicely decorated for the occasion and paper lanterns where lined around the top of the hall.