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[Setsubun Song] Demons out, fortune in! Bean-throwing songs to enjoy on Setsubun
When February comes, it’s all about Setsubun.
Setsubun is a traditional event, passed down to the general public since the Edo period, in which beans are scattered to drive away evil and invite good fortune.
In this article, we introduce songs themed around Setsubun and oni (demons).
We’ve gathered not only classics like the children’s songs “Mame-maki” (Bean-Scattering) and “Oni no Pantsu” (The Ogre’s Underpants), but also songs often sung at kindergartens and nursery schools during Setsubun, as well as tunes perfect for listening on the day.
If you’re looking to discover famous Setsubun songs or tracks you can enjoy with children during the holiday, be sure to check these out.
Some selections are aimed at adults, too.
Let’s welcome good fortune by enjoying Setsubun to the fullest—kids and adults alike!
Setsubun Song: Demons Out, Fortune In! Bean-Throwing Songs to Hear on Setsubun (1–10)
Bean-throwing (Mamemaki)nursery rhymes for children
When you think of Setsubun songs, isn’t this the one that comes to mind first? You probably hear it often at kindergarten events or in the Setsubun sections of supermarkets.
It’s a cute song that makes you want to throw beans.
“Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi”—that’s the key phrase of Setsubun.
Ogre Pantsnursery rhyme
When it comes to ogres, this is the song that comes to mind! It’s often used in commercials as a parody, but originally it’s a song called “Funiculì Funiculà,” composed in the 1880s for an Italian funicular railway advertisement.
Seiji Tanaka released a single that sets the “Ogre’s Pants” lyrics to this melody as a parody song.
Oni RangerMitsuru & Ryota
From the title, it sounds like a song that would make boys’ eyes sparkle.
If they listen to it, they might volunteer to play the ogre for Setsubun—but if we throw beans, we might end up getting vanquished instead.
There’s a dance too, so give it a try!
Song of the EhomakiStrawberry Club
With its tremendous impact, this song really pumps you up as a theme song for eating ehōmaki! It’s an original song by Ichigo Club—not a commercial jingle or a nursery rhyme—but it’s incredibly catchy, isn’t it? It sounds like a song kids would love!
Tango of the Red Ogre and the Blue OgreIsao Bito
Speaking of Setsubun, we think of ogres, and ogres usually conjure an image of harming people.
But the red ogre and blue ogre that appear in this song show us a delightfully humorous side as they dance a frenzy of tango under the moonlight.
The chorus, in particular, is richly tinged with tango and brims with passion.
The vocals are performed by Isao Bito, and the song was broadcast on NHK’s “Minna no Uta.”
A Demon Parent and ChildMasuda Hiroko
A perfect fingerplay song for Setsubun, “Oni no Oyako” features a family of three ogres: Dad Ogre, Mom Ogre, and Child Ogre.
The song introduces the horns that each of the three has on their heads.
What sizes are their horns, and how powerful is the lightning they can flash depending on those sizes? The lyrics sing about each one’s unique traits.
As you sing, you use your hands to make horns and to create lightning.
It’s especially fun to sing together as a family, matching the ogre family in the song!
Ready, set—Setsubun!Kumagai Tatsurou
On the YouTube channel of Maruyanagi Oguraya Co.
, Ltd.
, a company that handles bean-related foods, this fun song about Setsubun has been released.
Titled “Se-no de Setsubun,” it features a catchy chant using the English word for soybeans, “soy.” The lyrics also include counting numbers and the classic Setsubun phrase “Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi” (“Demons out, good fortune in”), making it a song kids can enjoy singing along to.
Surprisingly, Tatsuro Kumagai of the rock band Watanabe Flower wrote and composed the song.