Festival of terrified children marks start of spring in southwestern Japan

The rag wearing Old Man Mottomo (L) visits a house in Nagasaki, southwestern Japan on the night of Feb. 3, 2016, to scare children by roaring and banging the floor with a long stick for the "Mottomo," a festival marking the change in seasons that has lasted for more than 100 years in the area. While it is a tradition across Japan to scatter dried beans to ward off demons in early February, the festival in Nagasaki is unique as people scattering beans are joined by Old Man Mottomo in visiting houses. It is said that the harder children cry, the more good luck comes to the house. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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The rag wearing Old Man Mottomo (R), roars to scare children after a man and woman wearing kimonos scatter dried beans at a house in Nagasaki, southwestern Japan on the night of Feb. 3, 2016 in the "Mottomo," a festival marking the change in seasons that has lasted for more than 100 years in the area. While it is a tradition across Japan to scatter beans to ward off demons in early February, the festival in Nagasaki is unique as people scattering beans are joined by Old Man Mottomo in visiting houses. It is said that the harder children cry, the more good luck comes to the house. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo