Haiku about New Year (4)

 

 

 

神の使者童育む大晦日

 

kami no shisha   warabe hagukumu   oomisoka

 

 

Messengers of god

bring up Oga children

New Year's Eve

Notes:

 When the door is open, the first devil describes himself as the spirit, while the second devil beats upon a wooden bucket with a large cutting knife.

The elders of the house receive them and bring the devils into the house and the living room. As the devils walk slowly down the hall way the devil of Namahage will shout in a loud voice. “Where are the crybabies in this house?”  Suddenly the devil slides open a door and there will be the children. Namahage will shout. “Are you good children?” “Are you working hard at school?” Of course, the children all nod their heads that they are doing their best.

By Hidenori Hiruta

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　蛭田　秀法