Onita's Hat

The Oni child, Onita, is driven from his home, taking only his hat with him. The outside world is cold and dark, and he searches for a new place to stay. However, humans ward off demons with hiiragi iwashi, preventing him from entering most houses. He finds one house without these protections, where a girl diligently cares for her sick mother. The girl is too preoccupied to perform Setsubun rituals or afford proper meals. Recognizing their hardship, Onita, disguised as a man, provides them with a meal of sekihan and a green bean dish, claiming he made too much for Setsubun. After helping them, Onita departs to find a new home, leaving his hat behind. The story focuses on themes of kindness, empathy, and the struggles of those in need.