In
parts of the western world we have Santa Claus, "Jolly old saint nick",
bringing presents to good little boys and girls...in Akita prefecture
in Japan on New Years day they have the なまはげ - namahage...the mountain men.
The tradition goes, local men will dress as mountain demons and
descend upon the town breaking into houses with big knives and pots
roaring at the children...
"ARE YOU GONNA BE A GOOD BOY FOR YER MAMMMY AND DADDY NO !??! EH
!?!? ANSWER ME !?! ANSWER ME YOU ORRIBLE LITTLE EDIBLE FLESHLING !!!!!
IF YOUR NOT GOOD THIS YEAR AND IF YOU CAUSE YOUR MAMMY AND DADDY
TROUBLE ...WERE GONNA COME BACK NEXT YEAR AND...EAT YE !!!! AYE ! WERE
GONNA EAT YE !!!!!!BOIL YE IN A BIG STEW AN CUT YE UP AND EAT YEEEEE
!!!!"
All the while dressed like the above picture, screaming blue
murderous threats to children as young as 3 years old. After
terrorizing their children parents are obligated to offer sake and
foods to the namahage in exchange for good luck that year.
I don't know about you, but if these guys came to my house on New
Years when I was 4...I would be a well behaved boy...FOREVER...wait a
minute...When I was 4 my Dad's workmen would come on New Years... hairy
Scotsmen, stinking of booze, roaring, etc.
Perhaps Scotland and Japan aren't that different after all.
