This week, our Kinder and Pre classes celebrated Setsubun, a traditional Japanese festival held to drive away bad luck and welcome good fortune. Through songs, stories, games, and a very special surprise, the children experienced this cultural event in a fun and meaningful way.
今週、Beyondia Ikebukuroではキンダー・プリクラス合同で節分をお祝いしました。歌やお話、ゲーム、そして特別なサプライズを通して、日本の伝統行事を楽しく体験しました。

We began the morning by singing the Setsubun song, chanting “Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!” together. The children sang enthusiastically, enjoying the repetition and learning the meaning behind the words—chasing away bad luck and welcoming happiness.
朝は節分の歌からスタートしました。「鬼は外！福は内！」と元気いっぱいに歌いながら、悪いものを追い出し、幸せを迎える意味を学びました。

Next, the Kinder children listened carefully to a Setsubun story, learning about the origins of the festival and the role of oni and beans. They showed great focus and curiosity, making connections between the story, the song, and what they already knew.
続いて、キンダーの子どもたちは節分のお話を集中して聞きました。鬼や豆の意味、節分の由来について知り、これまでの経験と結びつけながら理解を深めていました。

The highlight of the celebration was the surprise visit from a real Oni (who looked suspiciously like Teacher Mandandi and Takahiro Sensei in costume!). The children reacted with excitement, surprise, and a little bit of fear—but they remembered what to do. Using handmade newspaper beans, everyone threw while chanting “Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!” together, bravely driving the Oni away as a group.
この日の一番のハイライトは、鬼のサプライズ登場でした（正体はMandandi先生とTakahiro先生…？）。子どもたちは驚きながらも、しっかりと「鬼は外！福は内！」と声をそろえ、手作りの新聞豆を投げて、力を合わせて鬼を追い払いました。

The children also enjoyed a variety of Setsubun-themed games. Kinder students played movement games such as rolling newspapers with their feet while “running away from the oni” and an island-hopping counting game that encouraged teamwork and listening skills. Meanwhile, the Pre and Peanuts classes enjoyed a tossing game, throwing crumpled newspaper beans into boxes shaped like the Oni’s mouth, practising aim and coordination in a playful way.
その後は、節分にちなんだゲームを楽しみました。キンダーは鬼から逃げる新聞遊びや、数を数えながら行う島渡りゲームに挑戦しました。プリ・ピーナッツクラスは、鬼の口の形をした箱に新聞豆を投げるゲームを楽しみ、楽しく体を動かしました。

After all the excitement, the children enjoyed a short time of free play to calm down before moving on with their day. The Setsubun celebration was filled with laughter, courage, and meaningful cultural learning.
活動の後は自由遊びの時間を取り、気持ちを落ち着かせました。笑顔と勇気、そして学びにあふれた、心に残る節分となりました。