【Japanese festival】#16 KOPPAGE MEN こっぱげ面 福岡県八女市星野村 2015

Gion Matsuri festivals are held at the three shrines of Amaterasumioya Jinja in Nagao on July 11th, Sukonoo Jinja in Matobetsuto on July 15th, and Gion Jinja in Misaka on July 14th and 15th.
It is customary for local young folk to don a red and black demon mask and to rowdily travel from house to house around the village carrying green bamboo.
During Heian times (794-1185), epidemics were thought to have been caused by the curse of evil spirits. Gion festivals were held to pray to the gods for good health and for misfortunes to disappear from the face of the earth.
Getting hit by this green bamboo is said to ensure a year of good health.
Gion festivals are also said to have started in order to pray for the end of damage caused by floods during the rainy season or for agricultural crops to no longer suffer damage caused by diseases or pests.

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