[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 Set: Fun Ideas with Setsubun Ornaments—Oni Demons and Ehomaki (51–60)
Simple Otafuku with origami
Around Setsubun, you often see not only oni (demon) masks but also Otafuku masks, don’t you? Some people might wonder, “Why is Otafuku associated with Setsubun?” In kanji, Otafuku is written as お多福, which literally means “much good fortune.” Since Setsubun is about welcoming as much good fortune as possible, Otafuku plays an important role.
How about sharing this little trivia with older adults while folding an Otafuku face out of origami? There are some very simple folding steps, so give making an Otafuku a try for Setsubun!
Red and Blue Oni in Origami
The demons that appear during Setsubun.
There are demons in various colors like red, blue, and black, but did you know the colors actually have meanings? The red oni symbolizes the bad side of human nature, while the blue oni represents malice, suffering, and anger.
In fact, Setsubun oni are basically five colors, and they are said to be related to human worldly desires.
Some older adults might even know quite a bit about oni.
It could be nice to fold origami oni together with older adults while sharing stories about these demons.
As they fold the oni, some seniors might also look back on their past Setsubun memories.
Ehomaki with finger stamps
On Setsubun, people eat ehomaki while facing the year’s lucky direction.
There are also “rules,” such as not cutting the roll so as not to sever good fortune, and eating in silence while making a wish.
Many older adults may have eaten them at home with family or been served them at senior facilities.
So let’s make a wall decoration of an ehomaki to further enhance the Setsubun atmosphere indoors.
Ehomaki are thick sushi rolls, often filled with colorful ingredients.
We’ll create the fillings by dipping our fingers in paint and stamping them on—like making prints.
Using their own fingers to stamp the ingredients should feel fun and engaging for older adults, too.
Setsubun wreath
How about making a wreath that’s perfect for Setsubun? You can choose your favorite motifs—ogres (oni), Otafuku, beans, and more—to enjoy creating a unique piece.
The key is to use colored paper and decorate a base made from origami.
If you adorn the oni’s face with pipe cleaners and beads, you can even feel the breath of spring.
It’s a great way to spark creativity in older adults and spend an enjoyable time together.
There are steps that use scissors and glue, but let’s support one another where needed and create a wonderful piece together.
Displaying the finished wreath will bring the full Setsubun atmosphere to your space.
[For Seniors] February Wall Decorations Are All About Setsubun! Fun Ideas with Oni Demons and Ehomaki (61–70)
Hanging decorations for Setsubun
When it comes to traditional Japanese events in February, Setsubun is the one that comes to mind! Let’s enjoy a craft activity by making hanging decorations themed around Setsubun, which are familiar to many seniors.
Using strips of construction paper, we’ll create figures like the smiling Okame (Otafuku), an oni (demon), and a club.
Because we’ll be expressing Setsubun motifs using only paper strips, shaping them may be a bit challenging, but it’s great finger dexterity training—so give it a try! Rather than making them individually, this activity is recommended as a collaborative project.
When displaying them on a wall, adding accents with square-cut chiyogami paper can make the decorations look even more charming.
Hanging decoration with a Setsubun motif
When you hear “Setsubun,” what do you imagine? Oni (demons), beans, ehomaki rolls, maybe Otafuku masks? There are lots of things that come to mind.
So this time, we’re introducing a hanging decoration made from items related to Setsubun.
We’ll fold and bend long, strip-shaped pieces of construction paper to create each part.
You can have many older adults each make different parts and assemble them into one hanging decoration.
Of course, you could also make smaller hanging decorations to display, or let the older adults take them home.
It’s also a great idea to have them think of Setsubun-related motifs themselves and make those.
Setsubun wreath
A familiar decoration for Christmas and other occasions is the wreath—a ring used for decoration, adorned with flowers and greenery.
Let’s update that wreath with a Setsubun twist and make one ourselves! You only need origami, so it’s easy to try.
Use origami to create motifs associated with Setsubun, such as oni (demons) and otafuku (a smiling face).
Then attach them to a wreath base made by forming origami paper into a ring.
With just that, you’ll have a cute wreath that captures the spirit of Setsubun.
