These masked visitors come knocking on doors for the New Year

At the beginning of the year or during a change of season, characters with impressive masks visit Japanese houses. The raiho-shin evoke deities from another world in local beliefs. Those who actually complete the tour are costumed residents.

They especially admonish laziness and remind children of rules of conduct. In some communities, a special meal offered by the home concludes the visit; elsewhere, part of the ritual takes place in the streets. Costumes, roles and circumstances vary: it is not an identical ceremony imposed on the whole country.

The preparation mobilizes shared responsibilities and transmits a local heritage. Interpreters can be men in some regions and women in others. Behind the disturbing faces, the practice relies on neighbors who cooperate, then show up under an appearance capable of making the visit unforgettable.