Namahage - [Festival Masks]

Namahage - 生剥げ - "Mask of Peeled Blisters" - [Festival Masks] - Oga, Akita prefecture.

• About these masks: Namahage are masks representing fearsome Oni, traditionally worn around new year's festivities for the "Sedo festival" – held across akita prefecture (& elsewhere) An annual tradition made to frighten lazy couples or bratty kids into behaving: Namahage come down in droves from the mountains wielding huge wooden knives, stomping around and roaring things like "Any lazy kids around?" or "Have your Blisters peeled yet?!?! (and other such similarly threatening things.) - The Namahage will enter the home, stomp around and then threaten to take the bad kids away to be eaten! - but! - The heroic parents (& other family members) will calm the Namahage down with a small meal and an offering of sake. During the meal, the placated Oni will give the naughty kids a stern talking to about helping out around the house; doing chores, taking care of granny and grandpa, etc. When the Namahage are finished, they'll bless the house with good fortune and give any crying children a hardy pat on the head for good health. Stomp around some more and then continue on their way off into the night... – So, despite their Intimidating demeanour, they are good natured. (at least, as far as Oni go....) – Depending on the city in Akita that you're visiting: Namahage may have a different name, unique appearance, lore and demands. 

The name "Namahage" comes from the signature taunt they use: “Have your blisters peeled yet?” (なもみコ剝げたかよ, namomi ko hagetaka yo) - In the cold winter months, a lazy person who spent all of his or her time in front of the fireplace would get blisters from being too close to the heat for too long. - "Namomi" is a regional name for these heat blisters, and "hagu" means to peel. - The combination of those words created their name sake; "Namahage." 

 Incidentally: The iconic, "stock" red and blue namahage masks of which my design (& several emojis 👹) are inspired by was originally designed by one Mr. Senshu ishikawa, who helps run the Namahage museum and still creates namahage masks by hand. (look him up sometime!)