A piercing roar shatters the silent night.

“Are there any crying children? Any lazy ones?”

Men donning enormous oni masks and straw garments roam from house to house, carrying torches that flicker in the darkness.

 

Every New Year’s Eve, the “Namahage” ritual takes place on the Oga Peninsula in Akita Prefecture. Counted among Japan’s Three Great Strange Festivals, this event is a spectacle unlike any other.

 

Japan has countless traditional ceremonies, but few are as fearsome and enigmatic as Namahage.

 

More than a mere costume display, it is a sacred ritual that has been passed down for generations—an annual visit from divine beings that marks the end of the year for the people of Oga.

 

What is Namahage?

 

Namahage refers to visiting deities in the form of oni.

They serve to admonish laziness, drive away misfortune, and bring health and a bountiful harvest to households.

 

There are several theories regarding the origin of the name. One suggests it comes from “namomi”—burn marks that appear on the skin when one idles too long by the fire. “Hage” means “to peel off,” symbolizing the act of warning those who succumb to winter’s lethargy, urging them to remain diligent and strong.

 

The practice has ties to ancient Chinese and Japanese traditions of demon exorcism, particularly the “Tsuina” ritual, which dates back to the Nara period (8th century) and was performed in imperial courts and temples to drive away evil spirits. The modern Setsubun bean-throwing festival is a remnant of this tradition.

 

Yet, Namahage remains uniquely preserved in Oga, likely due to the region’s rugged geography.

 

The peninsula juts into the Sea of Japan, making external influences scarce. Furthermore, the severe winters reinforced a cultural emphasis on diligence and resilience, ensuring the tradition’s survival.

 

Oga has long embraced the belief in “visiting deities”—supernatural beings that come to villages at specific times to bestow blessings. This belief manifests in Namahage, a tradition that has endured through the ages.

 

The Night of Namahage

 

On New Year’s Eve, young men from Oga’s villages transform into Namahage, wearing fearsome oni masks and straw costumes before setting out on their journey.

 

“Are there any crying children? Any lazy ones?”

Their deep voices echo through the crisp winter air.

 

 

Families prepare to welcome them.

When the Namahage enter a home, the head of the household offers them sake and food while assuring them, “There are no lazy people here.” But the Namahage do not relent easily.

“Are you sure? No one slacking off?”

Children cower in fear, and even adults instinctively sit up straighter.

 

This ritual exchange is believed to strengthen family bonds and cleanse the household of misfortune.

 

When the Namahage finally depart, an eerie silence returns.

Yet, a sense of relief lingers in the air—the misfortunes of the past year have been driven away, and the home is ready to welcome the new year.

 

The Namahage visit is not merely an event of terror. It is a sacred tradition that unites the community and prays for prosperity in the year ahead.

 

The Future of Namahage

 

Once practiced in every village, Namahage is now facing challenges due to depopulation and an aging society.

However, Oga City is making efforts to preserve this tradition through events like the “Namahage Sedo Festival,” where visitors can witness the spectacle firsthand.

 

In 2018, “Oga’s Namahage” was inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, a recognition of its historical and cultural significance. This acknowledgment ensures that Namahage will be introduced to a global audience, helping it endure for generations to come.

 

For those eager to experience Namahage up close, the Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum offers interactive demonstrations and historical insights, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in its intensity and mystery.

 

The people of Oga are determined to keep their tradition alive, passing it down as a living heritage.

 

Between Fear and Reverence

 

Namahage is not just a “scary oni.”

It is a divine presence that instills discipline, protects families, and strengthens communal ties.

 

On a frigid winter’s night, when the oni roam through Oga’s villages, fear and awe intertwine in a ritual that has endured for centuries. As long as this spirit remains in the hearts of the people, the tradition of Namahage will continue to thrive.

 

And if you ever find yourself in Oga on a winter’s night— you just might hear the chilling cry…

“Are there any crying children?”