I was excited by my first Namahage! Local report of the 62nd Namahage Shibato Festival [Oga City, Akita Prefecture]

Oga City, Akita Prefecture is the sacred place for "Namahage," which is no exaggeration to say that it is the most famous in Japan

Tohoku Rokken trivia media: NEFT

[Oga City, Akita Prefecture] Demons of the Oga Peninsula - Why do Namahage use knives to punish people? - Is it true that Namahage are gods?

When you hear the word Oga, the first thing that comes to mind is Namahage. Every year on New Year's Eve, demon-like people wearing masks with scary faces and costumes made of straw visit people's homes shouting, ``No lazy people, no crying children!'' In his hands, he holds a Deba knife and a bucket. Namahage descends to the village from Mt. Kamiyama to pray for the villagers not to be lazy in the winter and for good health and a good harvest in the new year (at the Namahage Chaito Festival) ©Akita PrefectureThe Namahage is scary at first glance, but... In fact, we are trying to punish the lazy people who spend all their time at the kotatsu and the irori hearth during the winter agricultural off-season, so that they will not get sick.

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On February 9th, 2025, I went to see the Namahage Shiba Festival, which is held every year at Shinzan Shrine

The 62nd Namahage Shiba Hill Festival was held over three days

The Namahage Shibato Festival is a winter festival held every year at Mayama Shrine in Kitaura, Oga City, Akita Prefecture, and is a historic festival that will mark the 62nd anniversary of the festival being held this year.

It is held every three days, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, including the second Saturday of February

The beginning of the Namahage Shiba Hill Festival

It began in 1964, and in an attempt to liven up winter sightseeing in Oga Onsen in Kitaura Yumoto, Oga City, the Saito Sai Festival, , and folklore. It was planned as a winter tourist event combining the event "Namahage."

It originally started at Hoshitsuji Shrine in Oga Onsen, but as the number of visitors increased every year and the venue became more cramped, the setting was moved to Mayama Shrine, and has not been cancelled since its inception and has continued to this day.

[From 15:00] Arrived on site

On the day, we will arrive at the site at the public opening hours of 3pm.

You will be waiting for the festival to be held while visiting "Namahagekan" and "Oga Mayama Densetsukan", which are open for free in conjunction with the Namahage Shiba Rack Festival

Around 5pm, the area gets dark, and the lights start to light up on the lanterns installed on the approach to Mayama Shrine. It's about time to head to the venue.

Near the mountain gate, bustling with many people. A line of people heading towards the venue continues.

While passing through the mountain gate, I suddenly looked up and found a giant Deba knife offering! This shrine is truly reminiscent of the shrine.

Events scheduled for the day. Events will be held in sequence at every location within the shrine grounds, so you will have to move around the shrine grounds accordingly.

Since you don't have to stay in one place and watch, it's extremely difficult to see all the events in the best position.

There is a large viewing monitor in the center of the temple grounds, so if you are unable to reach a good location, you can also check on the event.

[From 18:00] Jingaku Festival/Yu no Dance

Yunomai (Yunomai) is a purification kagura that is passed down in the Oga region, and the Jinkamasai (Chinkamasai) is a purification kagura (Japanese kaku) is a purification kakuri (Japanese kakuri) is a purification kakuri (Japanese kakuri) is a chock where the priest stirs the water boiled in a cauldron with straw bouki whilst reciting the words of purification. It is said that there is a faith that calms the waves and raging seas.

I failed to position myself from the beginning...I couldn't see at all. Although the capacity of the shrine grounds is limited and the number of visitors per day is limited to 2,000, the venue is filled with people, making it quite difficult to move around.

Events are being held in the lower left corner of the image above, near Wakatake, where Wakatake is lit up.

[18:20-] Namahage spirit

"Namahage Entrance" is an event where young people are given a namakage mask near the stone steps at the entrance to the approaching path next to the shrine building.

During this ritual, the young people turn into sharks, and cried out strangely as they climb the approaching path and disappear towards the mountains.

[From 18:35] Namahage Event Recreation

"Oga no Namahage," which takes place on New Year's Eve in various parts of Oga city, will be held at Kagura Hall.

Normally the Oga Mayama Denshokan , but you can see Namahage visiting his house and leaving behind a guide.

Tohoku Rokken trivia media: NEFT

[Oga City, Akita Prefecture] Meet Namahage at the Oga Mayama Legend Museum! At Namhage Mansion, all Oga's Namhage attend!

The Oga Mayama Denshokan shows the legend of "Namahage" through skits. Namahage, the visitor god, is a national tradition that represents Oga city in Akita Prefecture, and is designated as an intangible important cultural property in the country. He let out a terrifying cry and broke into the house, saying, "Please, please! (Is there no bad kids!)" and "Please, please! (Is there any lazy people?)" The children cry in deep frightened by the strange appearance and ragingness of the children. This is the event called "Oga no Namahage" that is still held every year on New Year's Eve. The Oga Mayama Legend Museum and the adjacent Namahage Museum are available all year round...

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Many people look on the right side rather than the Kagura Hall because they watch the "Namahage Event Recreation"

How will Namahage actually come to visit Kagura Hall, as if it were a private residence? You can experience it.

The photo is so insane that it seems like Namahage is being preached, but Namahage shows a teaching to the owner of the house. lol

[18:55-] Namahage Dance

Next, the stage will be moved to the center of the temple grounds and the "Namahage Dance" will be held.

Originally, in order to entertain hot spring resorts in Oga Onsen, the Namahage Dance was completed by Ishii Tou, a modern dancer from Akita, and his son, composer Ishii Kan, a composer in two red and blue. will be shown.

The dance performed in front of the huge bonfire (purple lights) is even fantastic and is a great opportunity to take the time to take the show!

[From 19:05] Namahage Taiko

Next, the performance was moved again to Kaguraden and performed "Namahage Taiko."

This is Oga's local performing arts that combines namahage and Japanese taiko drums, and is said to have originated in the 1970s, as was the "Namahage Dance" as a new entertainment for performing to hot spring resorts in Oga Onsen.

the Oga Wataiko Lovers Club dressed as Namahage performed.

As I moved around early for the next event, I saw Namahage, who also gave me a perfect look on my side.

[From 19:25] Namahage descent and kenpei

Namahage, who has disappeared into the mountains with his soul in its soul, returns to the grounds from the darkness of the snowy mountains with a torch.

The sight of the group of Namahage suddenly appears from the pitch black mountain, and it also makes me feel terrifying, as it makes me think, "Isn't they really exist in the mountains?"

As if to coincide with the arrival of Namahage, snow fell and the weather was replaced by a blizzard-like atmosphere, creating a fantastic view.

When Namahage enters the temple grounds, people will flood around them. It's like a celebrity landing at the airport.

The group of Namahage paraded around the shrine grounds for a while and then moved on to the "Kenpei"

Near the approach to the shrine, a ceremony is held in which a godly mochi, which was grilled with the shiba lights offered by the priest, proceeds to Namahage, a messenger of God. Namahage struggles to find a goma mochi that is not easily touched by divine power. You can play the scene where he takes it back to the place.

The series of stories that begin with Namahage's soul is now complete here.

[From 20:00] Namahage in the village bursts into

At the end, unique namahage from each district of Oga City burst into the grounds. 's so-called "photo time," and when you call out to your favorite Namahage, they will accept your photo.

Despite the children crying with scary faces, Namahage was memorable as he gently spoke to me and comforted me.

summary

I know about Oga's Namahage, . The namahage I actually saw was terrifying, divine, and powerful, and it took two hours in a flash!

This festival is also good because it is held every three days, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, including the second Saturday of February, and the fixed dates are fixed, so once you decide to go, you can prepare for it for quite some time. So, if you're interested, why not plan it?

However, the maximum daily visitor limit is 2,000 people, so advance registration is required to participate in the festival. Don't forget to apply for that too!

Namahage Saito Festival＜Information＞

• Name: Namhage Shido Festival
• Venue: Mayama Shrine (97 Kitaura Masanmikurozawa, Oga City, Akita Prefecture, 010-0685)
• Dates: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, including the second Saturday of February every year
• Inquiries: Namahage Shibato Festival Executive Committee (0185-24-9220)
• Official URL: https://oganavi.com/sedo/

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