[For Seniors] February Wall Decorations: Setsubun-Themed! Fun Ideas with Oni Demons and Ehomaki Sushi Rolls
Decorations that brighten up the walls during Setsubun are a wonderful way to feel the season’s arrival.
Let’s make colorful, festive Setsubun decorations! Beyond the classic oni (demons), motifs unique to Setsubun—such as ehomaki sushi rolls, masu wooden boxes, and holly with sardines—lift the spirits just by looking at them.
Many projects use familiar materials like origami and construction paper, so you can enjoy crafting with just a few supplies.
Using finger stamps or sponge stamps can add an exciting twist to your creations.
While sharing memories of past Setsubun celebrations, why not make a variety of colorful pieces—red and blue oni, and even Otafuku to invite good fortune?
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[For Seniors] February Wall Decorations Are All About Setsubun! Fun Ideas with Oni Demons and Ehomaki (41–50)
Japanese-style holly sardines
When Setsubun comes around, some households decorate their front entrances with “holly sardines,” don’t they? Holly sardines are believed to ward off demons and keep them from entering the house.
It’s said that demons dislike both holly, with its sharp, spiky leaves, and sardines, with their strong smell.
So this time, let’s use holly sardines as our theme and create a lovely craft.
You’ll only use the sardine’s head, but if you make it with aluminum foil, it will look close to the color of a real sardine.
You can craft parts that resemble a real sardine.
Then fold an oni (demon) with origami and glue it onto a backing sheet together with the sardine head and holly leaves.
If you add a checkered pattern or traditional Japanese patterned origami to the backing sheet, it will turn out even nicer.
Making holly sardines might bring back Setsubun memories for some older adults.
Setsubun wall decorations
During Setsubun, people throw beans at demons, eat ehomaki sushi rolls, and eat as many beans as their age.
In fact, there are regional differences in the chant used when throwing beans, the type of beans thrown, and in foods like ehomaki and kenchin-jiru.
Many senior care facilities also put up Setsubun-themed wall decorations in February.
It might be fun to create wall decorations that incorporate Setsubun traditions unique to your local area.
Some seniors using the facility may be living in a different place from their hometown.
While making the decorations, you could chat about Setsubun customs and culture from the seniors’ places of origin.
Please do try making some lovely Setsubun wall decorations.
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.
Various demons
Let’s try making different kinds of oni (ogres) with origami! Setsubun is all about oni, right? But don’t the usual red and blue ones feel a bit bland? If you’re thinking, “I want to make wall decorations that are a little different this time!”, try designing unique oni decorations using origami in a variety of colors.
By changing the number of horns or fangs, and experimenting with hairstyles and colors, you can create all sorts of oni.
This Setsubun, why not make your very own oni and create a set of wall decorations full of personality?
mumps
Otafuku, also familiar from Okame natto, is a common sight around Setsubun.
The Otafuku mask has been used during Setsubun to invite even more good fortune.
Let’s make this indispensable Setsubun character, Otafuku, out of origami.
All you need is a single sheet of black origami paper! You can create an Otafuku decoration using simple origami steps.
The black side becomes the hair, and the white back side becomes the face.
Once you finish folding, draw the face with a pen and you’re done.
Bring in even more good luck with an Otafuku wall decoration!
Otafuku measuring-cup pocket
Otafuku can also be written in kanji as お多福, and it is said to invite even more good fortune.
That’s why it’s used as the “fuku” in the Setsubun chant, “Fuku wa uchi” (Good fortune in!).
Let’s make a masu (wooden measuring box) with an Otafuku face peeking out.
With a small twist on origami, we’ll make both the masu and Otafuku from a single sheet.
Just laminate a different-colored sheet of origami to the back side of the area that will become the masu.
This way, you can create a piece where the masu and Otafuku’s hair are in contrasting colors.
It’s a lucky Otafuku craft that older adults are likely to enjoy as well.
An ogre made with torn-paper collage
This is a Setsubun craft that even small children can enjoy.
We’ll show you an easy way to make the ogre (oni) character that appears in Setsubun festivities.
Adults should prepare the base—an ogre face—ahead of time.
Add a little twist to the ogre’s head so children can join in.
Have a container ready with small, colorful pieces of torn paper.
Apply glue to the ogre’s messy hair area, and let the children stick the torn paper onto it however they like.
Even very young children can participate without needing any difficult techniques.
You can hang the ogre face on the wall as is, or attach a strap to turn it into an ogre mask.
Enjoy a fun Setsubun!
