① Does everyone know about Setsubun? Setsubun means "seasonal division." In the old days, they decided that the day when the cold winter ended and spring arrived was the beginning of the year. So, the day before spring began came to be called Setsubun. Setsubun is on February 3rd, and it's a day to drive away evil things with the meaning of hoping everyone can spend the year healthy and energetic. (Show the February 3rd gimmick) ② On Setsubun, there are demons that bring bad things. How scary! What should we do? Now, here's a question. What food do demons hate? The answer is beans and grilled sardines with holly. (Show the beans and grilled sardines with holly) Demons hate the smell of grilled sardines and are also not good with the prickliness of holly. ③ Do you know the words to defeat the demons? It's "Demons out, fortune in!" Let's defeat the demons with a loud voice! Say "Demons out!" with a loud voice. "Demons out!" Encourage the children to say it even louder. (Show the demon gimmick) Show the good fortune god gimmick from the back with "Fortune in!" ④ Speaking of evil demons, aren't they everywhere and also inside everyone's hearts? Boohoo, always crying Crybaby demon Always angry Angry demon Saying "I don't want to" to everything "I don't want to" demon Saying they don't like things and not eating food Pickiness demon Let's drive away the demons inside everyone too! ⑤ There's a food that's said to be good to eat on Setsubun. Does everyone know? It's... Soybeans! These beans are called fuku-mame (fortune beans). These fortune beans are packed with lots of nutrients, so they have the power to drive away demons. The beans should be roasted in a frying pan or something similar. Roasted beans are beans that have been heated. If you throw raw beans, they might sprout and the evil things you drove away might grow, so you roast the beans. It's said that if you eat the number of beans equal to your age, you'll become healthy and less likely to get sick. ⑥ And another thing is Eho-maki (fortune rolls). Eho-maki is a rolled sushi. It's said that if you make a wish and eat it without talking on the night of Setsubun, your wish will come true. Everyone, on February 3rd, let's throw beans to become healthy and eat Eho-maki to have your wishes come true! (*^o^*) Setsubun Story Setsubun Card Theater for childcare Panel Theater for childcare Paper puppet show