[Oga Peninsula, Akita Prefecture] Meet the authentic Namahage! I went to Namahage Museum and Oga Shinzan Tradition Museum

everyone is"Namahage"What impression do you have?

I had this image of a scary demon that would go around every house on New Year's Eve and threaten children by telling them, ``No bad kids!''
I heard that there is a place on the Oga Peninsula in Akita where you can meet real Namahage, so I would love to bring my kids to see them! I thought, I can have a Namahage experience. Oga Shinzan Tradition MuseumI went to.
Is the real Namahage really what it seems? Was the child okay?
In conclusion, I had a very valuable experience that completely changed my image of Namahage.

Origin of Namahage

The origin of the word ``Namahage'' is ``raw flesh removal''.The original meaning is to remove and admonish the "namomi" (fire spots) that form on lazy people who spend too much time at the hearth in the cold winter.

Speaking of essential items for Namahage,knife and bucketis not it.
this isThe meaning of ``Oke'' is to peel off the ``Namomi'' (fire spot) with a ``Knife'' and put it in.It's a bit scary when you imagine it, but the role of the Namahage, the visiting god, is to welcome and entertain each family respectfully as a messenger of the gods who ward off disaster and bring safety to the home, good harvest in the fields, and big catches at sea.

On the Oga Peninsula, the Namahage event is held every year on New Year's Eve."Oga's Namahage" has been designated as a national important intangible folk cultural property.

Namahage experience at Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum　

Oga Shinzan Tradition Museumis a facility that was created to let tourists know about the Namahage customs, which were a folk event that only locals had the opportunity to see.You can experience the Namahage customs of the Mayama area for yourself.

Namahage question and answer

In the Mayama area, they wear hornless masks that have been passed down since ancient times and parade from house to house in pairs. The person who plays the role of ``sakidachi'' checks to see if the owner of the house can include the Namahage, and the two young people dressed as Namahage say, ``Wow!'' They burst in with a strange voice. The owner of the house soothes the raging Namahage, provides courteous hospitality, and serves him a meal. From here, various questions and answers begin between the master and the Namahage.

Namahage ledger? I'll listen to what you say!

When Namahage appears, it is so powerful that not only children but also adults can't help but cry out.

My 6-year-old child keeps shouting "I'll listen to what you say!" every time a Namahage approaches.
Maybe he just didn't want to be kidnapped. It's a powerful tour that even adults will be surprised by. Namahage has a strong image of asking children, ``There are no bad kids.'' However, the question of Namahage is not only directed at children but equally at adults.

For Namahage"Namahage ledger"Even though they only visit once a year, they can see exactly what's going on in your house.
While looking at the ``Namahage Ledger,'' I ask the children whether all family members are lazy. The owner of the house hides his wife and children before the Namahage arrive, and follows up by saying, ``My wife and children are doing well.'' Namahage also ask the head of the family and the elderly, ``Don't gamble too much. Don't drink too much alcohol.''
As I listened to the questions and answers filled with Akita accents, I began to think, ``Maybe Namahage is a good god who cares about this family?''

The Namahage makes one last promise to the master of the house about the upbringing of the children and the health of the family, and leaves without mentioning that he will come next year.

The mino-shaped costume worn by the Namahage is called a ``gete,'' and the straw shavings that fall from the Namahage's costume are said to be a ``talisman of good health.''
I was told that I could take the pieces of straw that fell down after walking around the house and take them home with me, so I gave them to me as a charm.

When I asked the child, "Were you scared?", the response was, "I wasn't scared!" But her mother will never forget how she yelled "I listen to you!" more than 10 times!

Experience history and mystery at Namahagekan

In fact, Namahage is a folklore inherited from ancient legends, so its exact origins are unknown.

• The theory is that the demon from the folktale ``999 Stone Steps'' is enshrined in Goshado, and that this is the origin of Namahage.
• An ascetic monk from Mt. Mayan, the head temple of Oga, descends to the village village in a mountain-shaped ascetic form and goes from house to house to pray.

There are various theories.

"Namahagekan" adjacent to Oga Shinzan Folklore MuseumHere you can learn more about the mysteries of history and Namahage culture.

Handmade masks from each region

The Namahage Museum displays over 150 different types of Namahage masks that were actually used in various parts of Oga City.

There are many different faces, including those with angry faces resembling demons, as well as those with round faces and cute ones.
Each one has a different expression, and some of them have a warm handmade feel to them. When you look at the masks of each region, you get the sense that this is not just a scary Namahage, but a traditional event that has been carefully passed down in each region.

summary

In addition to being designated as a national important intangible folk cultural property, Namahage was also registered as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage in 2018, and is attracting a lot of attention both domestically and internationally.

Namahage is so powerful that not only children but also adults can't help but cry out, but there are parts that will make you laugh out loud while listening to the Namahage questions and answers. It was a valuable experience that gradually made me feel warmer as I saw the Namahage's concern for their home and the way the owner of the house protects his family as the breadwinner of the family.

At the end, the Namahage came around to us as visitors and asked, "Are you okay?" Even as an adult, I was quite nervous when I came face-to-face with a Namahage, but at the same time I felt very grateful.

Namahage was not a demon to scare children.
He was a very sacred god who watched over the Oga area! real? If you think so, please come and experience this valuable traditional event.

INFORMATION

• Name: Oga Shinzan Tradition Museum
• Address: 97 Mizukaizawa, Mayama Kitaura, Oga City, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 0185-33-3033
• Fees: Folklore Museum: 770 yen, common ticket 880 yen (April to November)
• Time required: Approximately 20 minutes between 9:00 and 16:30
• *Prices and scheduled times vary from December to March.
  

• Name: Namahagekan
• Location: Mizukaizawa, Kitaura Mayan, Oga City, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 0185-22-5050
• Price: Namahagekan: 550 yen, common ticket: 880 yen
• Opening hours: 8:30-17:00
• Access: 40 minutes by car from Akita Expressway Showa Oga Peninsula IC (via R101)
  

GOOGLE MAP