[For Seniors] Liven Up Setsubun Crafts! Handmade Ideas Using a Variety of Materials
As Setsubun approaches, memories of childhood filled with bean-throwing and ogre masks come flooding back.
If you enjoy crafts together with older adults, nostalgic stories will blossom and smiles will naturally appear.
Using familiar materials like paper plates, origami paper, and Yakult containers, why not handcraft Setsubun-themed items such as ogre masks, ehomaki, and bean-throwing cups? With a little creativity, the ways to enjoy it are endless.
Spending time savoring the seasonal tradition while working with your hands will warm everyone’s hearts.
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[For Seniors] Let's Get Excited with Setsubun Crafts! Handmade Ideas Using Various Materials (11–20)
Origami sardines and holly
Have you ever seen sardines and holly displayed at doorways around Setsubun? This is a long-standing custom called “hiiragi iwashi,” a talisman to ward off evil.
People skewer the head of a salt-grilled sardine to drive away ogres with its smell and smoke, and use the prickly holly leaves to poke at the ogres’ eyes so they can’t enter the house.
How about recreating this tradition with origami this time? When making the ogres, try using various colors of origami paper to create lots of unique characters.
Setsubun wall decoration
These origami Setsubun decorations made with paper plates are perfect for February wall displays.
Cut out a circular hole in the center of the paper plate to create a donut shape as the base.
Then attach origami pieces—such as sardines, ogres (oni), and Okame masks—onto the paper plate.
Because you can place many Setsubun-themed origami parts however you like, it’s an enjoyable process for seniors as well.
The colorful origami pieces create a lively look and will help set the festive mood for Setsubun.
Oni and Otafuku
When it comes to events in February, many people probably think of Setsubun.
Here’s a perfect recreation activity for Setsubun: making an oni (demon) and Otafuku.
First, fold origami to create the outlines of the oni and Otafuku, then attach facial parts cut out from paper.
If you put them up on the wall, you can enjoy a festive Setsubun atmosphere.
By the way, in the context of Setsubun, Otafuku represents the “fuku” in the phrase “Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi” (Demons out, good fortune in).
So it’s recommended to display them as a set.
Oni ornament
Here’s an idea for a cute, stylized ogre (oni) ornament.
This one uses felt and yarn to make a cone-shaped ornament.
You can complete it without needles, using just scissors and a glue gun.
The charm of these oni ornaments is that each one can have its own personality.
For example, you can give the oni a specific expression when drawing the face, or change the color of the pants—there are lots of ways to customize them.
Once they’re finished, showing off your creations to each other will make it even more fun.
An oni made with tsumami-zaiku
Tsumami-zaiku is a traditional Japanese craft in which small pieces of fabric are folded and assembled into parts that are then glued together.
In the Edo period, it was used for items like hairpins, and the glamorous hair ornaments became hugely popular.
This time, we’ll adapt tsumami-zaiku to make little oni (demons) for Setsubun.
There are many small parts, but since you simply layer the basic folds, there are no complicated steps, and you can easily make cute oni! By changing the material or color of the thin chirimen crepe fabric, you can create oni with different vibes, so have fun making and displaying them.
Setsubun hanging decoration
Setsubun, which invites good fortune and drives away evil, is an essential winter event that also carries a wish for a healthy year.
Let’s incorporate various motifs associated with Setsubun—such as oni (ogres), ehomaki sushi rolls, and holly-and-sardine talismans—into your decorations.
This project has you make each motif with origami, creating a cohesive look thanks to the unified material.
Since ehomaki and holly-sardine pieces end up with similar shapes, try varying the color and form of the oni to add originality.
[For Seniors] Liven Up Setsubun Crafts! Handmade Ideas Using Various Materials (21–30)
Wadaiko strap
The wadaiko strap makes a perfect item for yourself or as a gift.
When you think of oni, you often picture them holding a Japanese drum, right? Let’s try making a cute, rounded strap inspired by that drum! It’s very easy to make: place two plastic bottle caps together and secure them with vinyl tape.
Be careful not to forget to sandwich the strap cord in between.
Once you draw the distinctive “oni taiko” markings, it’s complete.
Attach it to your smartphone, cane, or bag, and you can always feel the warmth of something handmade.
It’s also wonderful to make them with friends and match as a set.
