Masks made with decalcomania

Easy Setsubun Oni Mask Making, Bean-Throwing, and Decalcomania!! #shorts

Have you ever heard of decalcomania? It’s actually a painting technique that comes from a French word meaning “transfer.” In Japan, it’s sometimes called “awase-e” (matching pictures).

It might sound a bit tricky, but the principle is very simple: draw any pattern you like on just one half of a piece of paper folded in two, then fold it closed and open it again.

You’ll get a left-right symmetrical image or design, creating patterns that are hard to describe.

That element of surprise is the most enjoyable part of decalcomania.

Add eyes, a mouth, or horns, and you’ve got a fine oni (ogre).

If you’re interested, give it a try!

Paper plate mask without rubber bands

[Crafts for ages 3–5] Not even demons are scary! A demon mask without rubber bands 👹 #preschoolcrafts #daycare #kindergarten #nurseryschool #preschoolteacher #kindergartenteacher #teachingideas #withkids #easycraft #crafts #Setsubun #oni #mask

From the belief that malevolent energy arises during seasonal transitions, the custom of Setsubun and driving away demons spread.

It has now become a well-established early-spring tradition.

If you want a mask that doesn’t use rubber bands around the ears, try this type: simply put, it’s a mask with a handle like a fan.

Cut out the parts of a paper plate where you want the eyes, design an oni (demon) face, and attach a handle such as a chopstick—that’s it.

You can create the oni on the paper plate however you like—papercutting, collage, or illustration—so even small children can enjoy it.

You can also design different oni faces on the front and back, making it double-sided.

Half Mask Made from Construction Paper

When it comes to Setsubun fun that rivals bean-throwing, it has to be ehomaki.

You face the year’s lucky direction—called the ehō—and silently eat an entire sushi roll.

It’s an old tradition that might make foreigners think, “How curious!” Here’s a mask that lets you eat your ehomaki while still wearing it.

Since it only covers half your face, you can capture photos that keep the Setsubun vibe intact! Still, it’s funny to see someone in an oni mask eating ehomaki, isn’t it? Enjoy your Setsubun party with this mask!

A mask with only the demon’s hair and horns

For those who think, “I wish I could enjoy the Setsubun vibe more easily…,” this is for you.

These masks are sure to liven up city events or Setsubun parties with friends.

But despite being called a mask, there’s no demon face—it’s just the hair and horns! If you’re thinking, “Wait, that’s it?” try making one and putting it on first.

You’ll definitely want to make more and have everyone wear them! For the hair, you could use yarn, pipe cleaners, or tissue paper flowers.

Mask made with tissue paper

Setsubun: Making Oni Masks That Don’t Cover the Face [Daycare/Kindergarten]

Did you know that tissue paper flowers are used in quite a lot of places? Of course they’re popular for decorating events like graduation ceremonies and school performances, but you’ll also spot them wrapping bouquets at flower shops, or used to wrap cutlery at restaurants.

Once you start paying attention, you’ll notice tissue paper flowers all around you.

When you crumple the tissue paper, it instantly transforms into an ogre’s hair.

That light, airy texture is perfect for hair, and the rich variety of colors is another big plus! It matches really well with band-style headpiece masks, so give it a try.

You can find plenty at 100-yen shops, too.

Masks made with chenille stems (pipe cleaners)

Setsubun: Making Oni Masks That Don’t Cover the Face [Daycare/Kindergarten]

In the old days, people believed that oni (demons) caused epidemics and disasters.

Many things that couldn’t be explained by the learning and knowledge of the time were attributed to oni.

How about driving away such demons with a cool mask designed using pipe cleaners? If you freely bend the pipe cleaners, you can easily create expressions like smiley faces.

You could also combine short pieces to make a stylish, design-like oni mask.

It’s nice that pipe cleaners can be easily attached with glue or double-sided tape.

They seem to go well with headband-style masks that wrap around the head.

Experiment in various ways and make a fun mask!

Masks you can make with paint play without getting your hands dirty

All ages welcome! Make an ogre mask with a paper bag: Enjoy textures with mess-free paint play – for nursery and kindergarten

Have you ever gotten so absorbed in painting with paints that you ended up making a mess around you? Here’s a mask craft that helps keep your home or facility as clean as possible.

First, prepare a sheet of drawing paper slightly larger than a postcard and squeeze paint directly from the tubes onto it.

It’s fine if it doesn’t look like a picture yet.

Put the paper into a ziplock bag and squish and mix the paint from the outside of the plastic.

You can blend the colors completely or leave some of the original colors as they are—either is fine! Let it dry, then attach parts for the ogre’s eyes and mouth, and you’re done.

Since drying time is needed, be sure to allow a little extra time for the activity!