Monday, December 23, 2013

Christmas Trivia - Christmas in Japan



Shimai Tenjin - 25 December Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, Kyoto The last festive market of the year at this large shrine in north-west Kyoto.



Kotohira-gu Shukiku - Late DecemberKotohira-gu Shrine, Kagawa PrefectureShinto shrine festival featuring kemari, a ceremonial game of kick-ups said to be a forerunner of soccer.




Namahage - 31 DecemberOga Peninsula, Akita Prefecture An ancient folk tradition still observed in villages all over the peninsula in which young men dressed in frightening namahage costumes visit the homes of children to warn them not to be lazy in the coming year.


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