Local Connection:
In this New Year’s folk ritual, three men dress up as demons brandishing sharp knives and enter the houses of the locals. They come in search of children, who run and hide when they enter the house. The demons then yell, “Are there any crying children here? Are there any children who do not obey their parents?!” – or some similar variation. Once they have found the kids, they join the host for sake, snacks and New Year’s greetings before moving on to the next house.

Source: Yuji: The Ethnology Association of Japan

Photo Credit: R2 Associates Co