Namahage
Overview
The namahage are strange, troll-like yokai that wander the frozen mountain of Genbu in nomadic families. These extremely tall, lanky humanoids have blue skin, wild black hair, horns, and curling tusks, and they usually wear thick straw raincoats and leggings to ward off the cold. Their most distinct features, however, are the painted wooden and straw masks they almost always wear. Every member of a namahage community carves and paints their own mask by hand and wears it for life, only removing it for sleep, mourning, or when banished from their clans.
While the namahage normally are content to tend to yak herds in the mountains, all namahage take part in an unusual ritual once per year during the first full moon. On this night, the namahage storm human villages, moving door-to-door and harassing any bad children or newlywed couples. Children are chastised and warned to be good, while newlywed couples are pressed to give an account of all the evil deeds they did during their first year together. Despite their frightening behavior, the namahage are well-meaning in this ritual, and the harassed humans are never brought harm; in fact, the adults of Genbu are well aware of the namahage's intentions, and always have sake and mochi ready to serve their "guests" to "appease" them. Some namahage have even acted as proper consultants during this time, mending more than a few marriages and protecting children from abuse that causes them to act out.
