Namahage Corona infection prevention measures for New Year's Eve Oga Akita

Namahage Corona infection prevention measures for New Year's Eve Oga Akita November 4, 17:26

In response to the spread of the new coronavirus infection, in Oga City, Akita Prefecture, where the traditional event "Namahage" is held every year, we decided to take measures such as preventing Namahage from entering the house depending on the area. became.

Namahage in Oga City is a traditional event in which a man wearing a demon-like face of New Year's Eve visits local houses, and has been registered as an intangible cultural heritage of the adult UNESCO.

Last year it was held in 89 districts.

Of these, in the Kofukami area, due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection, we decided to implement Namahage after taking measures to prevent infection.

Specifically, Namahage does not enter the house and does not eat alcohol or food served as hospitality.

In addition, the namahage with a face only growls, and the people walking with him wear masks and say, "I don't have a bad boy."

Yoshihiro Kimoto, the representative of "Honda Namahage no Kai," said, "The most important thing is how to connect traditional culture in a new way. I would like to take all possible measures."

Oga City will issue a notice calling for infection prevention measures to each district by the beginning of next month, and will check the implementation status of this event.