Oni Out, Fortune In: A roundup of J-pop you’ll want to listen to during Setsubun

A Vocaloid producer who is also a music writerAraki Jakkan
I’ve worked in a variety of roles—regardless of pro or amateur settings—including live event PA, cameraman for video and photography, restaurant staff, and logistics center staff. I now spend my days as a part-time writer. I’ve contributed to music and manga websites with feature/review articles, and wrote the liner notes included as a bonus for 1st PLACE Inc.’s “IA SUPER BEST.” As for my music background, I started playing guitar in junior high and focused on band activities during my school years. For over 15 years since then, up to the present, I’ve continued releasing original tracks as a Vocaloid producer. My areas of expertise are Japanese rock, Vocaloid, and manga.

Setsubun, a seasonal tradition long cherished as a hallmark of February.

From bean-throwing to eating ehomaki, it’s an event that lets you fully savor the feeling of the season.

In this article, we’ve put together a selection of Japanese songs themed around Setsubun to make this fun event even livelier! We’ve picked a variety of tracks, from cute tunes you can sing with little kids to J-pop numbers that feature motifs like oni (ogres) and fuku (good fortune).

You’re sure to find a song that will add even more color to your seasonal festivities!

“Demons Out, Good Fortune In”: Japanese songs to listen to on Setsubun. Recommended J‑Pop roundup (31–40)

Ojo KichisaHashi Yukio

Yukio Hashi “Ojo Kichisa”

Ojo KichisaHashi Yukio

If you’re familiar with kabuki, the title “Ojo Kichisa” might ring a bell.

It’s the name of a character—an outlaw disguised as a woman—from the kabuki play “Sannin Kichisa Kuruwa no Hatsugai” by Kawatake Mokuami.

Using that character as a motif, a song was released in 1963, performed by one of Japan’s most prominent singers, Yukio Hashi.

From that description alone, it may seem unrelated to Setsubun, but if you read the lyrics, the word “Setsubun” appears.

As a stylish, slightly offbeat choice, it might be nice to listen to this song around the Setsubun season.

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Grown upLinQ

Grown up

Grown upLinQ

This song by LinQ, a local idol group based in Fukuoka, features memorable lyrics that speak for children climbing the steps toward adulthood.

The title “Grown up” is an expression native speakers use to mean ‘adult.’ In the lyrics, the feelings of young people who look straight toward the future are sung: “The past is the past—we won’t look back; we’ll keep moving forward!” You can sense an unexpected connection between young people who take a step forward without being bound by the past and Setsubun, a festival that drives away evil and invites good fortune.

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tat-tat-tan (onomatopoeia for rhythmic drumming/footsteps)Tarutotatan

Don’t waste apple peels! How to make Tarte Tatin! #shorts #TarteTatin #ChristmasRecipe

tat-tat-tan (onomatopoeia for rhythmic drumming/footsteps)Tarutotatan

Sung by tartetatin, a female duo known for their vocals that mix comfort and excitement, “Tatotatan” is a track from their 2015 album SHIRODUCER.

It’s a highly distinctive song in which most of the lyrics are repetitions of phrases familiar from Setsubun, and once you hear it, it’s addictively hard to get out of your head.

After listening to it a few times, you might find yourself unconsciously trying to drive away demons to the melody of “Tatotatan” when you do the bean-throwing ritual.

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In conclusion

We’ve introduced a number of Japanese songs related to Setsubun, featuring themes like oni (demons) and good fortune.

Did you find a song that feels like “This is it!” for you? This Setsubun, be sure to spend the day with your favorite music!