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I had this image of Namahage as scary demons that go around to each house on New Year's Eve, threatening children by asking, "Are there any naughty children here?" When I heard that there was a place on the Oga Peninsula in Akita where you could meet real Namahage, I thought I absolutely had to let my child meet them! Sothe Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum whereI went to Were the real Namahage just as I imagined? Was my child safe? In conclusion, it was an extremely valuable experience that completely changed my image of Namahage.
The origin of Namahage
The origin of the word"namahage"comes from "namimabuki" (stripping away the raw body). Its original meaning is said to be to punish lazy people who spend all their time sitting around the hearth in the cold winter by peeling off the "namomi" (fire spots) that appear on them.
The essential items for a Namahage area knife and a bucket. Thissymbolizes the use of a knife to peel off the "namomi" (fire spots) and the bucket to put them in.It's a bit frightening to imagine, but the role of the "visiting deity Namahage" is to be welcomed and entertained respectfully in each home as a messenger of the gods who wards off evil and brings "safety to the home, a bountiful harvest in the fields, and a great catch at sea."
In the Oga Peninsula, the Namahage ritual is held every year on New Year's Eve, and"Oga's Namahage" has been designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
Experience Namahage at Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum
The Oga Mayama Folklore Museum was established to help tourists learn about the Namahage customs, which were previously only seen by locals as a folk event, and allows visitors to experience the Namahage customs of the Mayama area
Namahage Question and Answer
In the Mayama area, the Namahage wear hornless masks, a tradition passed down since ancient times, and parade from house to house in pairs. A person called "sakidachi" asks the head of the household if it's okay to let the Namahage in, and then two young men dressed as Namahage burst in, yelling, "Woo!" The head of the household calms the raging Namahage, treating them courteously and offering them a meal. From here, a variety of dialogues begin between the head of the household and the Namahage
Namahage ledger? I'll listen to you!
When Namahage appears, it is so impressive that not only children but also adults scream with excitement
My 6-year-old child repeatedly shouts "I'll do what you say!" every time the Namahage approaches. Perhaps he was just desperate not to be kidnapped. The Namahage surveys the entire house with such intensity that it surprises even adults. We often picture the Namahage asking children, "Are there any naughty children here?" However, the Namahage's questions are directed equally at adults as well as children.
The Namahagea "Namahage ledger," and even though they only visit once a year, they seem to know everything about the household. Looking at this ledger, they question every member of the family to make sure they haven't been slacking off. The head of the household hides his wife and children before the Namahage arrive, and tries to reassure them by saying, "My wife and children are doing just fine." The Namahage also question the head of the household and the elders, telling them things like, "Don't gamble too much. Don't drink too much." As I listened to the exchange, full of Akita dialect, I began to think, "Maybe the Namahage are good gods who are worried about this household?"
Finally, Namahage makes the head of the household promise once more to raise his children well and keep his family healthy, and then leaves after saying that he will return next year
The straw cloak-like garment worn by the Namahage is called "Gete," and the straw scraps that fall from this garment are considered "amulets for good health and protection from illness." I was told that it's okay to take home the straw scraps that fall after the Namahage have walked around the house, so I took some as a good luck charm.
When I asked my child, "Were you scared?" he replied, "I wasn't scared!" But I will never forget how he shouted "I'll do as you say!" more than 10 times!
Experience history and mystery at the Namahage Museum
In fact, Namahage is a folk tale that has been passed down since ancient times, so its exact origins are unknown
There is a theory that the demon from the old tale "The 999 Stone Steps" is enshrined in Goshado, and that this is the origin of Namahage
The theory that he was a Shugendo monk from Mt. Shinzan, the head temple of Oga, who descended to the villages in mountain-like training attire and visited houses to offer prayers
There are various theories, such as:
, located next to the Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum,the Namahage Museumyou can learn in depth about the mysteries of this history and the culture of the Namahage.
Handmade masks from each region
The Namahage Museum displays over 150 different Namahage masks that were actually used in various parts of Oga city
There are various types of Namahage masks, not just those with angry, demon-like faces, but also those with round faces or even cute ones. Each one has a different expression, and some are heartwarming, handmade in their own way. Looking at the masks from each region, you can feel that Namahage are not just scary figures, but rather a traditional event that is cherished and passed down in each community.
summary
Namahage has been designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan, and in 2018 was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, attracting a great deal of attention not only from within Japan but also from overseas
The Namahage is so impressive that it makes both children and adults scream with delight, but there are also some heartwarming moments when listening to the Namahage dialogue. It was a valuable experience that gradually warmed my heart as I watched the Namahage's concern for his family and how he protects his family as the breadwinner of the household
At the end, the Namahage came around to us visitors, asking if we were okay. Even as an adult, I was quite nervous when I came face to face with the Namahage up close, but at the same time, I felt very grateful
The Namahage were not demons to scare children. They were actually sacred gods who watched over the Oga region! If you're skeptical, please come and experience this precious traditional event for yourself.
INFORMATION
Name:Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum
Address: 97 Mizukuisawa, Kitaurayama, Oga City, Akita Prefecture
A housewife and writer born and raised in Fukushima. She
loves freshly picked Fukushima "hard peaches." Her
hobbies include driving and gourmet food.
She hopes to share the charm of Tohoku with others.
!["Akitakomachi rice from Katagami City" with a "Namahage" motif](https://jp.neft.asia/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/main-150x150.jpg.webp "Katagami City is now accepting hometown tax donations for "Akita Komachi" rice bags with a Namahage motif! [Akita Prefecture]")
