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I had an image of Namahage as a scary demon that goes around to each house on New Year's Eve, threatening children by asking, "Are there any naughty children here?" I heard that there is a place on the Oga Peninsula in Akita where you can meet a real Namahage, and I really wanted to let my child meet one at least once, so I went to the Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum Are real Namahage as you might imagine? Was my child safe? In conclusion, it was a very valuable experience that completely changed my image of Namahage.
The origin of Namahage
The etymology of Namahage "namami" (skin peeling) . The original meaning is said to be that it strips away the "namomi" (fire spots) that appear on lazy people who spend all their time sitting by the hearth during the cold winter, in order to discipline them.
The essential items for Namahage are a knife and a bucket . The knife is used to peel off the namomi (fire spots) and the bucket is used to put them in. It sounds a little scary to imagine, but the role of the visiting god Namahage is to ward off misfortune and to courteously welcome and entertain them in each home as a messenger of the gods who brings safety to the household, bountiful harvests in the fields, and a bountiful catch in the sea.
On the Oga Peninsula, a Namahage event is held every year on the evening of New Year's Eve, and "Oga Namahage" has been designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan.
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 six-year-old child would repeatedly shout "I'll do as I'm told!" whenever the Namahage approached. Perhaps he was desperate not to be kidnapped. He would look around the house with such force that even adults were surprised. We have a strong image of Namahage asking children, "Are there any naughty children here?" However, Namahage's questions are directed equally at adults as well as children.
Namahage "Namahage ledger ," and even though he only visits once a year, he has complete visibility into the state of affairs in the household. Referring to the "Namahage ledger," he asks each family member if they are being slacker. The head of the household hides his wife and children before Namahage arrives, and reassures them by saying, "My wife and children are well behaved." Namahage also questions the head of the household and the elderly, telling them not to gamble too much and not to drink too much. As I listened to the dialogue, which was full of Akita accent, I began to think, "Perhaps Namahage is a good god who is concerned 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-like garments worn by Namahage are called "gete," and the pieces of straw that fall from these garments are said to be talismans for good health. I was told that I could take home any pieces of straw that fell after walking around the house, so I received 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:
the Namahage Museum , adjacent to the Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum, you can learn more about the mysteries of history and Namahage culture.
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 a variety of Namahage masks, including those with angry, demon-like faces, as well as round-faced and cute ones. Each one has a different expression, and some have a heartwarming, handmade feel to them. Looking at the masks from each region, you can sense that these are not just scary Namahage, but are traditional events that have been cherished and passed down in the region.
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
Namahage was not a demon to scare children. It was a very sacred deity that watched over the Oga area! If you think that's true, then please come and experience this precious traditional event.
INFORMATION
Name: Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum
Address: 97 Mizukuisawa, Kitaurayama, Oga City, Akita Prefecture
A housewife writer born and raised in Fukushima. Her favorite food is freshly harvested hard peaches from Fukushima. Her favorite things are driving and gourmet food. She would be happy if she could share the charm of Tohoku.
