In Photos: Devilish 'namahage' hunt out, teach lessons to kids in Japan's Akita Pref.

"Namahage" with revived masks participate in a traditional event in the snowy Sugoroku district of Oga, Akita Prefecture, on Dec. 31, 2021. (Satoshi Takahashi)

Mikio Miura, the head of a group preserving the Sugoroku district's "namahage" culture, left, and Kyosuke Shinoda, who has been playing the role of a namahage for six years, show revived masks in the district in Oga, Akita Prefecture, on Dec. 5, 2021. (Satoshi Takahashi)

Mikio Miura, the head of a group preserving the Sugoroku district's "namahage" culture, left, and Kyosuke Shinoda, who has been playing the role of a namahage for six years, wear revived masks in the district in Oga, Akita Prefecture, on Dec. 11, 2021. (Satoshi Takahashi)

"Namahage" masks revived for the first time in about 30 years are seen at Mikio Miura's home in the Sugoroku district of Oga, Akita Prefecture, on Dec. 11, 2021. (Satoshi Takahashi)

Mikio Miura participates in a ritual at Sugoroku Shinmeisha Shinto shrine in the city of Oga, Akita Prefecture, on Dec. 30, 2021, a day before traditional "namahage" events were held citywide. (Satoshi Takahashi)

Men who will take the shape of "namahage" participate in a ritual at Sugoroku Shinmeisha Shinto shrine in the city of Oga, Akita Prefecture, on Dec. 30, 2021, a day before traditional events were held citywide. (Satoshi Takahashi)

"Namahage" masks are seen after a ritual at Sugoroku Shinmeisha Shinto shrine in the city of Oga, Akita Prefecture, on Dec. 30, 2021, a day before traditional events were held citywide. (Satoshi Takahashi)

Men who have taken shape as "namahage" are seen in the Sugoroku district of Oga, Akita Prefecture, on Dec. 31, 2021, the day of the city's traditional namahage event. (Satoshi Takahashi)

"Namahage" walk in the snowy Sugoroku district of Oga, Akita Prefecture on Dec. 31, 2021, the day of the city's traditional namahage event. (Satoshi Takahashi)

A family welcomes "namahage" into their home as part of a tradition in the Sugoroku district of Oga, Akita Prefecture, on Dec, 31, 2021. (Satoshi Takahashi)

Children are surprised by a traditional visit of "namahage" in the Sugoroku district of Oga, Akita Prefecture, on Dec. 31, 2021. (Satoshi Takahashi)

Visiting "namahage" give children a lecture as part of a tradition in the Sugoroku district of Oga city, Akita Prefecture, on Dec. 31, 2021. (Satoshi Takahashi)