Setsubun is here and so I’ll be celebrating it in the Kansai tradition. On my way to work today I dropped into my local convini to pick up an Eho-Maki 恵方巻, translated as “lucky direction roll”.
Eho-Maki is an uncut roll of sushi, otherwise called makizushi. Once a year the stores will line their shelves with them so that you can increase your luckiness by popping in for one.
The Japanese calendar brings about an animal each year which in turn dictates the lucky direction you must face whilst you eat your Eho-Maki, in absolute silence.
As this year is the Year of the Rooster I will be facing North, NorthWest. Of course, I didn’t need to consult the zodiac to work that out as the morning Japanese news conveniently told me the lucky direction for this year. This is an improvement though as this year I’ll be looking out my window. Last year, I was staring at the printer.
Mapping Lanes 