February 3rd is called Setsubun in Japan. It's the day before the first day of spring on the lunar calendar. Setsubun is known as bean throwing (mamemaki) festival. People throw roasted soybeans around houses and at temples and shrines to drive off bad luck and to bring good luck in. It's a custom to eat the same number of beans as one's age, hoping for good health and happiness.
Eho-maki (fortune rolls) are futo-maki (thick sushi rolls) eaten on the night of Setsubun. To be related with the Seven Deities of Good Fortune called Shichifukujin, seven fillings are traditionally rolled in a sushi roll. For example, simmered shiitake mushrooms and kanpyo (dried gourd), cucumber, rolled omelet (tamagoyaki), eels, sakura denbu (pink sweet powder), and seasoned kouyadofu (dried tofu) are used. These ingredients represent good health, happiness, and prosperity. So, rolling the fillings means good fortune. See how to roll sushi.
Usually, sushi rolls are sliced into bite-sized pieces. But fortune rolls shouldn't be sliced since slicing indicates cutting good fortune.
To eat fortune rolls, face toward the good fortune direction of the year at first. The good fortune direction is where the fortune god, Tokutoku-shin, stays. The good fortune direction changes every year. Then, hold a sushi roll and eat it, making wishes. You shouldn't talk until you are done with eating a whole sushi roll. It's said that good fortune will be gone if you talk.
Good luck!
