"Namahage" end-of-year rituals in Akita

"Namahage" end-of-year rituals in Akita

AKITA, Japan - Men disguised as "Namahage" by wearing a demon-like mask and a costume made of straw, talk to a little boy in his house in Oga, Akita Prefecture, in northeastern Japan on Dec. 31, 2014. Namahage, considered a divine messenger bringing blessings to people, visit houses in the area every New Year's Eve, yelling and telling children they have to behave themselves in a tradition designated as one of Japan's important intangible folklore cultural assets.

"Namahage" end-of-year rituals in Akita

"Namahage" end-of-year rituals in Akita

AKITA, Japan - A man disguised as "Namahage" by wearing a demon-like mask and a costume made of straw, talks to a little boy in his house in Oga, Akita Prefecture, in northeastern Japan on Dec. 31, 2014. Namahage, considered a divine messenger bringing blessings to people, visit houses in the area every New Year's Eve, yelling and telling children they have to behave themselves in a tradition designated as one of Japan's important intangible folklore cultural assets.

Polar bear cub

Polar bear cub

AKITA, Japan - Photo shows a female polar bear cub and her mother at Oga Aquarium GAO in Oga, Akita Prefecture, on May 1, 2013. The aquarium unveiled the cub, born in December 2012, to the public the same day.

Polar bear cub

Polar bear cub

AKITA, Japan - Photo shows a female polar bear cub and her mother at Oga Aquarium GAO in Oga, Akita Prefecture, on May 1, 2013. The aquarium unveiled the cub, born in December 2012, to the public the same day.

Polar bear cub

Polar bear cub

AKITA, Japan - Photo shows a female polar bear cub and her mother at Oga Aquarium GAO in Oga, Akita Prefecture, on May 1, 2013. The aquarium unveiled the cub, born in December 2012, to the public the same day.