Take off your shoes, and step into an authentic silk merchant's home from Kyoto, Japan. Experience Japanese family life, customs, ceremonies, art, architecture and seasonal events in this 100-year-old house. On busy days, guided tours of the Japanese House are offered, to accommodate crowds.
Japanese House has limited hours. Please check the specific hours on the day of your visit.
Seasonal Activity (offered at quiet times)
節分Make an Oni Mask for Setsu-bun and Celebrate the Coming of Spring!
Setsu-bun is a Japanese ritual of driving out bad luck and evil spirits and welcoming in good luck and good health in preparation for spring.
The most fun part of Setsu-bun Day, on February 3rd, is the mame-maki ceremony (bean-throwing ceremony). It is one way to drive away bad luck and illness. In the night of the Setsu-bun day, some people wear masks of Oni ( a Japanese monster or demon), which symbolize negative things such as illness and bad luck. Others throw soybeans at oni, saying “Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!”, which means “Out with bad luck! In with good fortune!”
In the Japanese House this month, you can make your own oni mask, and be reminded of the importance of taking care of your health during the flu and cold season of February in Boston.