Oga City, Akita Prefecture, is the sacred ground of Namahage, arguably the most famous visiting deity in Japan. Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT: Why do Namahage carry knives and punish people?.
Aoiwa
Based on "The Five Winds of Oga," a travelogue written by Edo period traveler Masumi Sugae (1754-1829) about his journey around the Oga Peninsula, this book compares the Edo period with the present day.
Putting aside the debate over whether Namahage are demons or gods, the Oga Peninsula is home to numerous demon legends. The origin of one is the legend that five bats who accompanied Emperor Wu of Han transformed into demons...
When you hear the word Oga, the first thing that comes to mind is the "Namahage." Every year on New Year's Eve, demon-like figures wearing frightening masks and straw costumes sing, "Anyone lazy? Cry...".
Katagami City in Akita Prefecture has developed a new product, "Katagami City Akita Komachi," which uses Akita Komachi, a brand of rice representative of the prefecture, packed in a specially designed rice bag featuring Akita's "Namahage" (a type of demon).
Aoiwa
What impression do you have of Namahage? I had the image of a scary demon who goes around to each house on New Year's Eve, threatening children by asking, "Are there any naughty children here?".
The Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum presents the legend of Namahage through skits. Namahage, a visiting deity, is a representative folk legend of Oga City, Akita Prefecture, and is designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Japan.
The people of Akita Prefecture love festivals. The Kanto Festival is one of the three major festivals in the Tohoku region, and everyone knows about it. As the festival approaches and the people of Akita Prefecture hear the practice of the music, their blood boils...
