Setsubun (節分)
Today is Setsubun (節分) in Japan. This photo is from the Setsubun bean-throwing festivities at nearly 1,300 year-old Rinnoji (輪王寺) in Nikko. Before the bean throwing, a procession marched to the temple carrying flags, blowing horns, and performing other ritualistic behaviors (as snow fell on us all). This guy did a little sword work in front of the temple, perhaps exercising some demons in the process.