Visitors in AkitaSourced
Frightening faces, welcomed guests
On Japan’s Oga Peninsula, namahage visit homes wearing masks and straw clothing. They admonish idleness or misbehaviour, but households also offer food and sake. The custom represents visiting New Year deities, rather than just frightening villains.
The visitor is both fearsome and a guest to receive.
Summary / translation: Unbubly · CC BY-SA 4.0
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Namahage · Wikimedia contributors
Adapted, summarized and translated from the source. Adapted text is also available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Reviewed: 2026-10-10