It was out with evil and in with good fortune as Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center (NAVSUP FLC) Yokosuka personnel and members of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) gathered for a small spring Setsubun ceremony Feb. 3.

Setsuban, a division of seasons, is recognized with the custom of mamemaki, or bean-throwing, performed annually the day before the start of each season. Of the four seasons, Risshun, the first day of spring, is considered the most significant.

"It is said that at the division of seasons, Oni, a devil-like creature, comes to each home," said Lt. Cmdr. Yoshitomo Itoga, from the JMSDF Ship Supply Depot planning department. "I think you can understand the importance of that because we often catch a cold in the beginning of the season."

To get rid of Oni, roasted soy beans are scattered about homes while family members chant the phrase, "Oni wa soto, fukuwa uchi," which means, "Go out, devil. Come in good fortune."

"When chanting 'go out, devil,' it is important to open a window and throw beans," said Itoga. "Make sure to close the window immediately so that Oni doesn't come back in."

In Japanese families, it is the father who wears the mask representing Oni, while family members toss beans at him to bring good fortune to the home. It is similar in many ways to the custom of throwing rice during western marriage ceremonies.

Executive Officer Cmdr. Shane Strohl took on the role of Oni and donned the traditional mask, performing an impromptu Setsubun for the command along with several other NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka Sailors.

"We've performed this traditional ceremony for a few years now," said Strohl. "It's fun and certainly a great opportunity to bring together personnel throughout the command, including our JMSDF partners, and observe some of the customary traditions that are part of our Japanese counterparts' culture."

According to Itoga, once beans are thrown Setsubun participants must gather them all up and eat the same number as their respective age.

"Eat one extra bean to keep you from sickness and stay healthy for the whole year," he said. "I have brought enough soy beans, so everyone can try some."

NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka, one of eight fleet logistics centers under NAVSUP Global Logistics Support (GLS), is the western Pacific region's largest U.S. Navy logistics command. Headquartered just 26 miles due south of Tokyo, the enterprise networks more than 20 sites from Misawa, Japan, to Sydney, Australia; Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean to Guam with a mission to deliver supply and logistics solutions which enable deployed maritime warfighter readiness in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

NAVSUP GLS provides global logistics for a global Navy. The organization is made up of approximately 6,300 military and civilian logistics professionals operating from 105 locations worldwide, providing an extensive array of integrated global logistics and contracting services to Navy, Marine Corps, joint operational units, and allied forces across all warfare enterprises.

NAVSUP provides U.S. naval forces with quality supplies and services. With headquarters in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and employing a diverse, worldwide workforce of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel, NAVSUP oversees logistics programs in the areas of supply operations, conventional ordnance, contracting, resale, fuel, transportation, and security assistance. In addition, NAVSUP is responsible for quality-of-life issues for naval forces including food service, postal services, Navy Exchanges, and movement of household goods.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Naval Supply Systems Command, visit www.navy.mil/.