Get Fired Up with Setsubun Quizzes! A Collection of Fun Questions to Enjoy with Kids

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
9 years of experience as a nursery school teacherShibata Risa
I am an active nursery school teacher with 9 years of experience. After graduating from university, I worked at a daycare center. The time I spent happily with children—playing piano, singing songs, and doing finger-play—are priceless memories to me. Currently, while raising three children of my own, I work at an after-school day service, engaging with children and providing individualized developmental support. Drawing on my diverse experiences as a childcare worker and as a mother, I hope to express and convey my thoughts through writing.

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 (11–20)

There are five types of fillings in an ehomaki. True or false?

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The number of ingredients is set at seven to match the seven deities known as the Seven Lucky Gods.

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Setsubun is on February 3, but it can also fall on February 2. True or false?

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Because Setsubun is held on the day before the first day of spring (Risshun), when Risshun falls on February 3, Setsubun is observed on February 2.

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When eating ehomaki, you face north every year. True or false?

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Because you eat while facing the lucky direction that changes each year, the direction changes every year.

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The pants worn by Oni have a tiger pattern. True or false?

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They wear tiger-striped underpants to align themselves with the ushitora direction—the northeast, from which demons are said to come.

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Is it true or false that people from households with the surname “Watanabe” don’t need to do bean-throwing (mamemaki)?

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Because, in the Heian period, Watanabe no Tsuna defeated the most powerful oni together with Minamoto no Yorimitsu, oni are afraid of people named Watanabe, so they don’t need to do bean-throwing.

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How many kinds of oni are there for Setsubun?NEW!

four types
six types
Translation

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Translation

It is said that there are five types of oni (demons) associated with Setsubun. Each of these five kinds of oni has been thought to represent a different form of misfortune—such as illness, calamity, or negative energies. The bean-throwing and protective rituals are important customs meant to drive away all of these oni, safeguard one’s home and body, and ensure a healthy and happy life.

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kepiko