Before the End of Winter, Costumed Oni Appear in the Snow - Ohara Temple

Translated from the original article at: http://www.ryoutan.co.jp/news/2012/01/27/004699.html

January 27, 2012

Oni, filled with vigor in the middle of the snowfall. (10:25AM, January 27)

Six locals interested in the duty of performing as Oni for the annual end of winter Setsubun stand dressed and prepared. (This particular Setsubun) takes place on January 27th and Febuary 2/3 at the Odahara Temple (Chief Priest: Hayashi Hidetoshi) in Miwacho, Fukuchiyama City.

The Oni costumes were created by members of the town's cultural revitalization group, The Odahara Meeting and Discussion Club (Presided by Otsuki Keishi). In a room, they changed into red and blue costumes, brandished golden clubs, and ventured out towards the winter snowfall with boldness.
 　
The annual Setsubun Festival begins from 7:00PM on February 2nd.. The Oni visit each house in the surrounding area of the temple, where bad luck is taken away during the "Greeting of the Oni" event. After 7:00PM of the next day, an exorcism ceremony is performed in front of the temple's main shrine. Shrine parishioners perform such acts as bean throwing and taking back the evil energy from the 6 Oni, who roam the temple grounds in a state of agitation.


Original text:
節分を前に鬼が雪の中で衣装合わせ　大原神社
2012年1月27日

雪が降るなか気合たっぷりの鬼たち（２７日午前１０時２５分ごろ）

福知山市三和町の大原神社（林秀俊宮司）で２７日、２月２、３両日の節分行事で鬼役を務める地元有志６人が、衣装合わせをして本番に備えた。

鬼役は地元有志で作る町おこしグループ「大原話し合いの会」（大槻兄市会長）のメンバー。部屋で赤と青の衣装に着替え、金棒を持ち、節分を前に雪が降るなか外に出て気合を入れた。

節分行事は２日午後７時から、神社周辺の各家庭を訪れ、厄を取りに行く「鬼迎え」行事がある。３日午後７時からは神社本殿前で「追儺式」があり、氏子の厄を持ち帰った鬼６匹が境内を暴れ回ったり、豆まきなどがある。