Nonori-Kōki

The nonori [ののり] are demonic beings portrayed by men wearing large masks and traditional straw mantles (chissaro) during traditional New Year's celebrations in the Hamae, Arami, Mikei and Heisai prefectures. Rituals, commonly known as nonori-kōki ornonori imitations' are performed during local festivals to drive away evil spirits before the beginning of a new year. Similar practices exist in other regions, although are known by other names and consist of different customs.
The outlandishly-dressed men impersonating the nonori wear special masks (nonori-naga) and are dressed in long straw capes which are locally known as mishi. They are armed with wooden or papier-mache knifes or spears, and their bare skin was traditionally covered in dark mud (nowadays body paint is used). They also wear loincloths. Throughout the evening of the first day of New Year, the performers run from house to house, usually in pairs, looking for naughty, misbehaving children to 'kidnap'. They will often shout out "Are there any demon-children around?" (ののり子いっさ?, nonoriko issa?) or "Are there any naughty brats around?" (糜い坊子いっさ?, sagui nango issa?) in the local dialect, and variations of these phrases. Traditionally, children should make offerings of food and drink for the 'demons' to collect and leave them outside the house to prevent them from calling in (this also ensures that the men themselves don't get too tired running around the neighbourhood for hours).
The nonori costume has never been overly elaborate, although it has developed to become more impressive with the aid of modern decoration. Wood was often used for masks, and crude renditions of a nonori's face would be painted on. However nowadays these masks can be made of plastic, metal, or cardboard and often have intricate designs and features.