Get Fired Up with Setsubun Quizzes! A Collection of Fun Questions to Enjoy with Kids
Here are some Setsubun quizzes perfect for enjoying with children.
They’re full of questions that will make everyone exclaim “What?!” like “What fish do ogres (oni) hate?” and “How many kinds of fillings go in an ehomaki?” While playing, kids can learn about Japanese traditional customs such as the origins of bean-throwing and the rules of ehomaki.
With various formats like true/false and multiple choice, they’re useful in many settings, such as Setsubun events or morning meetings.
Be sure to try them together with the kids!
Get hyped with Setsubun quizzes! A fun set of questions to enjoy with kids (1–10)
What do you throw while saying, “Demons out! Fortune in!”?
- bean
- rice
- potato
See the answer
bean
Beans are also called “mametsu” (demon-banishing) and are scattered to defeat the oni, which are considered ‘demons.’
When is the bean-throwing conducted?
- morning
- noon
- night
See the answer
night
Since the oni (ogres) come at night, let's throw beans at night!
What are the rules when eating an ehōmaki (lucky direction sushi roll)?
- Don't talk.
- Don't sit
- eat while chatting with someone
See the answer
Don't talk.
It’s said that if you eat one without speaking, your wish will come true.
What should you not do when eating an ehomaki?NEW!
- yawn
- Conversation
- drink a drink
See the answer
Conversation
What you must not do when eating an ehomaki is talk. It is considered best to face that year’s “lucky direction,” make a wish in your heart, and eat the roll silently to the end. People believe that if you talk, your good fortune will escape. Even if you’re having fun, please hold off until you’ve finished eating.
From which country was the culture of Setsubun introduced?NEW!
- South Korea
- America
- China
See the answer
China
The culture of Setsubun was brought to Japan from ancient China. In China, it was believed that at the turning of the seasons, bad things could easily enter, and there were rituals to drive away evil spirits like demons. This was introduced to Japan, and by the Heian period it had become a court ceremony; it then developed into Setsubun, in which beans are scattered with the chant, “Demons out, good fortune in.”
Why do people scatter beans on Setsubun?NEW!
- To stay young
- So that everyone can get along
- So as not to get sick
See the answer
So as not to get sick
People scatter beans on Setsubun to avoid getting sick. In the past, people believed that demons (oni) brought illnesses and other misfortunes. So they scattered beans, which were thought to have power, to drive the demons away and keep their bodies healthy. Bean-throwing carries the wish that everyone will stay healthy throughout the year.
What kind of beans are thrown during Setsubun?NEW!
- soybean
- adzuki beans
- chickpea
See the answer
soybean
The beans scattered during Setsubun are soybeans. Since long ago, soybeans have been considered good for the body and powerful. The word for “beans” is also linked to the phrase meaning “to vanquish demons,” and they have been believed to have the power to drive away ogres and evil. For this reason, soybeans are scattered during Setsubun to pray for a healthy and energetic year.