Namahage Demons Promise Good Fortune
Namahage are folklore characters resembling demons that leave the mountains to bring fear upon children. In Akita, men dressed as namahage wearing frightful ogre masks and straw capes holding wooden knives come out on New Years Eve in pairs or in threes and visit homes with children. These namahage ask homes with children if their child has been disobedient or crybabies as they chant and dance through town. When they enter homes they are served mochi and sake and the parents ensure that their children has been good and the satisfied namahage promise the families good luck for the upcoming year.