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SETSUBUNambience: Setsubun festivalWhile Americans determine the fate of Spring by quietly watching whether or not a certain furry rodent sees his shadow, in Japan "the turning of the seasons" is marked by demons chased from temples, and sumo wrestlers hurling beans at screaming crowds. I'm Jim Metzner, and this is the Pulse of the Planet.This week, the Japanese celebrate Setsubun, the changing of the seasons from winter to spring. Over a thousand years ago at this time of year, farmers began offering beans to the god who taught them how to cultivate rice. They loudly and vehemently cried out for good luck, and for any evil demons to be driven away.Today, that tradition has evolved into one of the country's most popular and exciting festivals. It's celebrated at temples throughout Japan with Mame-maki: bean throwing. At each temple, a sumo wrestler or other celebrity is chosen to lead the ceremony, preferably someone who's birth sign coincides with the sign of the current year. The celebrity and priests throw beans over the crowd, who shout back:ambience crowd shouting "Fuku wa uchi, oni wa soto!"That means "Out with the devils! In with good luck!" The crowd scrambles to catch the beans, hoping to grab some luck for the new season. Meanwhile, at some of the Setsubun celebrations, festival-goers dressed as gods drive costumed demons from the temple, and chase them out into the streets.At home, the celebration continues. Families toss roasted beans throughout their houses, hoping to exorcise any devils from anywhere they might be hiding. Afterwards, family members try to guarantee lucky times to come, by eating one bean for each year of their age.Now, what's all this about a groundhog? I'm Jim Metzner, and this is the Pulse of the Planet.