February 3rd is Setsubun.
Kodomoen held a Setsubun bean-throwing event.
For several days, the children worked little by little to make demons masks and bean containers, and they showed them to everyone at the bean-throwing event.
The children shared that they wanted to drive away the bad oni living inside them, such as the “crybaby oni” and the “angry oni.”
Then, the year’s lucky boy and lucky girl (Toshi-otoko and Toshi-onna) helped drive away the evil oni.
After successfully chasing the oni away, the Pear and Apple Groups began dividing the roasted soybeans into containers.
Just then—
A red oni appeared from outside!!!!!!
A green oni came rushing down the hallway!!!!!!
The children were caught in a pincer attack and panicked 💦💦
This year’s oni had clearly planned their strategy!!!!
But no one cried.
The children bravely stood their ground, determined to “protect their friends,” and fought back with all their strength 💣
When they saw the oni returning to the mountains, they felt relieved—
but only for a moment.
“Wait… is everyone here????”
A full safety check followed!
“Everyone’s here, right?”
“Huh? Someone’s missing??? … Oh, there you are!!”
Only after confirming that everyone was safe did they finally breathe a sigh of relief.
But it wasn’t over yet.
After all, two kilograms of beans had been thrown! ☆
Then it was time for a big cleanup♪
No matter how much they picked up, there were still beans everywhere—beans, beans, and more beans…
After wiping the floors together with cleaning cloths, lunch soaked into their tired bodies and hearts.
Even the stubborn oni that had been living deep inside their hearts were completely driven away.
The designers could see growth in the children’s brave, determined faces.
The next day, as soon as lunch began, something surprising happened.
Kid
I am going to eat the vegetables I don’t like first~
A child from the Peach Group, who usually dislikes vegetables and often leaves the side dishes, suddenly made a loud declaration—and then started eating the spinach namul with enthusiasm!!!
“Whaaaat?! What happened all of a sudden???”
When asked, the child replied,
“I can eat it now because I defeated the oni inside me!”
As the designer listened, they were so moved by the child’s growth that they struggled to hold back tears 👀
Seeing that, I was deeply moved as well 👀
The effects of oni-fighting continued.
Another child who dislikes vegetables, inspired by this moment, also finished their entire lunch!!!!!
It wasn’t just about being “scared of the oni.”
We truly felt that good fortune (fuku) had come into everyone’s hearts 🌸
