In the past, rice, wheat, dried chestnuts, charcoal and other materials were reportedly used along with beans, but eventually beans became exclusively used because they are the most productive of the five main cereals, and also because of their hitting sound and proper size for throwing.
以前は豆のほかに、米、麦、かちぐり、炭なども使用されたというが、豆撒きとなったのは、五穀の中でも収穫量も多く、鬼を追い払うときにぶつかって立てる音や粒の大きさが適当だったことによる。