Oni is coming to town?!

Good evening mommy and daddy.

We started our free play time as always, the classroom was full of energy and laughs! We played with blocks and animal toys. Some of us stayed in the kitchen area or enjoyed reading books.

After we packed away, we had morning circle time. Today, we talked about Setubun because February 6th is Setubun day. Sayaka taught us a fun setubun song, we stood up and we danced as we sang the song! Then, Sayaka read a Kamishibai (Paper Theater). Setubun is a Japanese traditional festival and it is known as Rishyun (The day before the start of spring according to the Japanese lunar calender, but it is not national holiday). During Setsubun, the Oni comes to visit. People in Japan throw soy beans to shoo the oni away and bring in good luck. After getting rid of the Oni, people eat the same number of soybeans as your age (if you are 3 years old, you will eat three beans). When you throw the beans, you need to say, “Oni wa soto Fukuwa uchi! (Oni go away, happiness come in!). People also display Hiiragi iwashi on their door or window to protect their house or school from the Oni. The reason why people display the Hiiragi Iwashi is because the Oni don’t like hiiragi (Holly leaves) because of the spikes and the iwashi (sardine fish) because of the smell. Then Sayaka showed the us the hiiragi. We took turns to feel and touch it. But our hiiragi has no sardine so we decided to make it tomorrow.

K-, “10years!” *Oni wears his pants for 10 years.

T- Scary! *He had a smile on his face.

*Sayaka showed us the hiiragi and asked if we should display it on or door.

G-I don’t want oni!

T-We need to get the spiky plants and we give it to G. The spiky with fish on top of it!

E-And we’ll sing Jingle Bells! haha!

Sayaka-You know what…Petals has it but I’m not sure if the other class have it. I really don’t think Shelley and Maryna have it.

Then T shared his an amazing idea.

T-We need to make new one for the oni to stop coming to protect Ohana.

R-I make all big with one bean for grandma.

A-The oni will catch Nimo, right? 

R-I’ll give it with beans.

L-Smell no no! *Fish smell.

T-I know how to throw it. *He showed the gesture of throwing beans.

Sayaka-Thank you very much for reminding me, T. We will practice throwing beans tomorrow! We will make the beans from newspaper! The Oni is strong so Petals should also be strong!

T- I’m strong!

G- I’m strong, too!

It was fun circle time! We are going to be ready for setubun day. Even if oni comes, we will be ok because we are so brave and strong! “Let’s go to the park!” We shouted out. On the way to the park we found lots of Hiiragi leaves (Holly leaves) Nimo said that there are lot’s of Hiiragi. We got a close look at them and some of us touched them. 

After we came back, we had an another circle time just before lunch and it was about a different oni. “I want to talk about the other oni whoes name is Namahage. This is story of my mom...” She started talking about it with a very quiet voice. A namahage oni is very famous in Akita prefecture and Sayaka’s mom is from Akita so her mom knows about them very well. They are visiting deities in mask and costume. When Sayaka’s mom was a little, the Namahage came her house and asked, “Are there any crying babies?” It was a very scary moment and she remembers it very well, Mother said to Sayaka. Oh…the Namahage sounds like a scary oni… not sure if we really want to see him…we thought at first. “But..” Sayaka continued to talk about Namahage. Yes, Namahage looks scary, but as long as the children are good, and the parents offer the Namahage some good food and drinks, they will protect your home from natural disasters, sicknesses, and pray for good crops. Once the Namahages make sure there are no naughty children and the children are nice, they just leave the house. Hmm..Namahage looks very scary, but they are not bad oni. Then Sayaka showed us two photos. We don’t want see scary oni so Sayaka chose photos that are not so scary. *The secret is…the parents actually know who the Namahage is and asks them to visit their house. If you don’t know about Namahage, you might be confused why the parents invite oni to their house. It is one of five major snow festival in Akita prefecture. We wondered what snow festival is…”Snow?” We asked her. She nodded her head.

Sayaka- Can you see this? *She pointed out the one of photos. What do you see?
Petals-Hands?
Sayaka-Yes, Namahage is actually not the real oni. Someone wears a mask and dresses up. So, the parents know who the Namahage is.

G- My mommy? Daddy?
Sayaka- Haha! Do you want them to be Namahage?
G- Yeah!

Sayaka- Haha you can ask them if thay want to be. Did you like the Namahage story?
T- Interesting.

Sayaka-Anybody being naughty?
T and G- Not me!

T- Food..? Who eat? Look jello? *Pointed out the photo. 

Sayaka-Yes, the parents prepare some good food for Namahage. Then she explained that Namahage is not really bad oni.

S- Scary. *Smiled

G- Who’s not listening? *He pretended to be oni and had cheeky smile on his face.

Sayaka- I wonder if teachers are not listening to the children…

G- Hahaha! 

K- Namahage eats jello?

E- It’s not good, they going to be scared.

Then Sayaka showed us the picture of Hiirage and sardine fish displaying on the door.

T-  That’s for Christmas. *Pointed out the picture.

Sayaka- You’re right! some people use these leaves for Christmas decorations.

G- We found it outside. *On the way to the park.

E- Ouchie 

T- I like (Fish), but a little bit stinky…

S- No *I don’t like the smell and I don’t eat fish at home.

E- Not crying…I make a cake in Latvia…Don’t steal eomma (mommy in Korean) stuff..

J- Eomma is mommy!

Sayaka- Thank you very much for listening petals! I think we are ready to start making the hiiragi from tomorrow!

After that we were hungry so we had lunch time. Thank you very much for today and see you all tomorrow!

Love,

Petals class