Namahage Special Feature Part 4 "Visiting Gods from Around the World"

It's been quite a while. I'm Yokai-ya, the owner of the Yokai Channel. It's been so long since I posted an article, so after thinking long and hard about what to write, I decided on "Namahage".

Namahage Special Feature Part 3: Namahage's Friends and Origins

Four years have passed since then, and after continuing to warm it up (until it boiled over and dried up), we are finally ready to present the fourth Namahage special feature.

Speaking of Namahage, it was a hot topic that it was registered as a World Heritage Site as a "visiting deity" at the end of November last year. The reason why it is called a "visiting deity" is because there are various "visiting deities" all over Japan, not just Namahage, but in fact, if we broaden our perspective, we will find that they exist here and there all over the world. Let us introduce them to you today.

Cheghette

First, let's look at the Swiss Tschegette. What do you think? Isn't it a bit too much of a Namahage? Moreover, it seems to visit houses as if it were a visiting deity. This Tschegette seems to be a visiting deity of the Rachel Valley, and there is a theory that it is the spirit of smoke and chimneys (Roich). If something like this came in through a chimney, it would be traumatic for even an adult.

Krampus

Next up is Krampus, a European demon. Looking at the photos, I can honestly say that he is scarier than Halloween lol. Pumpkins and skeletons are still less scary. And this Krampus,

Appearing before children with Santa Claus

That's right. Why together? It's a happy, holy night. I don't want them to show up together. They're completely uninvited guests.

Busoyarash

Next is the Hungarian Busoyaras. This one is also very Namahage-like. The horns are like sheep's, and the costume is also made of wool, I guess? I'm also curious about the slightly grinning face. Apparently, this was a custom to scare the Turks of the Ottoman Empire, who ruled over them at the time, or to scare away winter itself. Even the Turks were surprised.

Kukeri

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The last one is Kukeri. It is from Bulgaria. As you can see in the picture, Kukeri look different depending on the region. They range from colorful ones to ones that look very similar to Namahage. Apparently Kukeri is a ritual that is performed for various purposes, such as praying for a good harvest and even serving as a coming-of-age ceremony. I see, so you can't make one "Kukeri" (sniff).

Visiting gods and Namahage from around the world

I could only introduce three regions this time because it would be endless, but there are many other countries that have customs of visiting gods like these three. If there is one thing they have in common, it is that in relatively cold regions, the appearance of Namahage is similar. They wear straw or wool or demon masks. In every country, they dress up as scary things to scare people. That must be exciting. Also, since they are called visiting "gods," they may have had a strong meaning as a medium for people to become gods and offer prayers to them. I wonder if the people of Oga in Akita know about Namahage from around the world? I hope that this article will lead to similarities in customs and cultural exchange. But don't just think about it, do it!

(That aside, I'd like to get qualified as a Namahage evangelist someday...)