Help Wanted: Japanese Demon Impersonators

208 [namahage] ©eblaser

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The Japanese city of Oga is looking to hire a trio of devilish gods known in local folklore as Namahage.

Potential applicants need to to have a driver’s licence and basic computer sills. The position will pay about $2500 per month.

Traditionally, local men volunteered to dress up as Namahage and visit homes on new year’s eve, wielding butcher knives and searching for naughty and lazy children.

In addition to scaring the daylights out of poorly behaved children, Namahage guard against misfortune and bringing bumper crops and bountiful fish catches.

Following last year’s earthquake and tsunami disaster, Oga city is looking to the use the Namahage tradition to promote itself.

“But to really promote our tourism, we want to efficiently dispatch Namahage as the face of Oga city.”

says Yutaka Sato of the Oga tourism office.

And while the Namahage face isn’t beautiful, it certainly is memorable.

Read more at news.com.au.

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