Setsubun 2015

Another year has come bringing a new Setsubun - Hoshimatsuri to Little Tokyo. Commonly known as the bean throwing ceremony, Setsubun is the time to cleanse one of evil spirits coinciding with the Lunar New Years. This year former Sumo Wrestling Champion Yamamotoyama Ryūta and 2015 Nisei Queen Tori Angela Nishinaka-Leon joined the festivities throwing soy beans at the "Oni" demon played by our dear friend and long time Koyasan Temple member & Taiko Drummer Brandon Paris.

Yamamotoyama Ryūta and 2015 Nisei Queen Tori Angela Nishinaka-Leon.

Koyasan Betsuin 2015.

2012 Hoshimatsuri

Here's a few images from the Los Angeles Koyasan Temple's 2012 Hoshimatsuri Star Festival taken today in Little Tokyo.

Similar to the Goma Fire Ritual, the Heart Sutra is recited while good fortune abounds to your Star Sign.

A pair of famous faces from Clint Eastwood's "Letters From Iwo Jima" resident actors Yoshi Ando & Akira Kaneda are in attendance.

Every Hoshimatsuri invites each years reigning Nisei Week Queen who kindly offers you the traditional Hoshimatsuri soy beans to eat as many as the years you are old or to throw at the Oni while chanting Oni no Soto to drive misfortune away.

2012 is going to be a year of fortune!