Setsubun: Welcoming Good Luck with Art 🎨👹
Last week at school, we celebrated the Japanese holiday Setsubun as part of a special cultural celebration. The day included Japanese student performances, haiku writing, calligraphy, and a traditional tea ceremony.
Setsubun is a festival celebrated in early February in Japan that marks the transition from winter to spring. It’s all about chasing away bad luck and welcoming good fortune—and it happens to be a fantastic theme for an art lesson.
What Is Setsubun?
Setsubun literally means “seasonal division.” Traditionally, it falls on February 3rd or 4th, right before the beginning of spring in the old Japanese calendar.
The idea behind Setsubun is simple:
- Out with the bad luck 👎
- In with the good luck 👍
To do this, families perform rituals that are playful, noisy, and perfect for kids.
Setsubun Traditions
The most well-known tradition is called mamemaki (bean throwing).
- Roasted soybeans are thrown around the house
- Someone dresses up as an oni (a demon or ogre from Japanese folklore)
- Everyone throws beans while shouting:
“Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!” 「鬼は外、福は内」
(“Demons out! Good luck in!”)
Afterward, people often eat the same number of beans as their age (plus one for good luck!).
Meet the Oni 👹
Oni are not just “bad guys.” In Japanese folklore, they are powerful, colorful creatures that represent mischief, bad habits, or negative energy—exactly what Setsubun is meant to chase away.
Common oni features:
- Wild hair
- Sharp horns
- Big teeth or fangs
- Bright skin colors (red, blue, green)
- Striped pants
- Exaggerated facial expressions
This makes oni perfect art subjects—expressive, imaginative, and a little silly.
Art Activity: Draw an Oni & Make a Mask
Step 1: Learn to Draw an Oni
Have students start by drawing an oni face:
- Large circle or oval head
- Big eyes and expressive eyebrows
- One or two horns
- Wide mouth with teeth
- Bold patterns and textures
Encourage kids to exaggerate features and use bright, high-contrast colors.
Step 2: Create an Oni Mask
You have two easy options depending on time and materials:
Option A: Hand-Drawn Mask
- Draw the oni face on cardstock or thick paper
- Color with markers, crayons, or paint
- Cut out eye holes
- Punch holes on the sides and tie string or attach a craft stick
Option B: Coloring Sheet Mask
- Download a free oni coloring sheet
- Students color and customize it
- Glue onto cardstock for strength
- Cut, add eye holes, and turn it into a wearable mask
(These are great for younger students or quick lessons!)
Extension Ideas
- Have students name their oni and decide what “bad habit” it represents
- Do a mini classroom mamemaki using paper “beans”
- Write a short reflection: What good luck do you want to invite this year?
Why Setsubun Works So Well in Art Class
Setsubun combines:
- Cultural learning 🌏
- Storytelling 📖
- Expressive character design 🎭
- Hands-on making ✂️
It’s playful, meaningful, and gives students a chance to explore another culture through creativity.
If you try this lesson, your classroom might just be filled with oni… and a whole lot of good luck!
