"Namahage" festival in Japan

"Namahage" festival in Japan

Men dressed as a deity called Namahage perform a dance during the Namahage Sedo Festival at Shinzan Shrine in Oga, Akita Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Feb. 8, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

"Namahage" festival in Japan

"Namahage" festival in Japan

Men dressed as a deity called Namahage perform a dance during the Namahage Sedo Festival at Shinzan Shrine in Oga, Akita Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Feb. 8, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

"Namahage" festival in Japan

"Namahage" festival in Japan

Men dressed as a deity called Namahage perform a dance during the Namahage Sedo Festival at Shinzan Shrine in Oga, Akita Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Feb. 8, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

"Namahage" festival in Japan

"Namahage" festival in Japan

Men dressed as a deity called Namahage walk down a snowy mountain during the Namahage Sedo Festival in Oga, Akita Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Feb. 8, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

"Namahage" festival in Japan

"Namahage" festival in Japan

Men dressed as a deity called Namahage walk down a snowy mountain during the Namahage Sedo Festival in Oga, Akita Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Feb. 8, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

"Namahage" festival in Akita

"Namahage" festival in Akita

Men disguised as "Namahage" descend a snowy mountain carrying torches on Feb. 10, 2017, during the Namahage Sedo Festival at Shinzan Shrine in the northeastern Japan city of Oga, Akita Prefecture. Wearing a demon-like mask and a costume made of straw, Namahage are considered divine messengers bringing blessings to people by visiting 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 cultural assets. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

"Namahage" festival in Akita

"Namahage" festival in Akita

Men disguised as "Namahage" perform a dance during the Namahage Sedo Festival at Shinzan Shrine in the northeastern Japan city of Oga, Akita Prefecture, on Feb. 10, 2017. Wearing a demon-like mask and a costume made of straw, Namahage are considered divine messengers bringing blessings to people by visiting 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 cultural assets. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo