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Toshidon wear masks of various colors, charming as well as scary.
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Sunset on New Year’s Eve over Teuchi Bay, on the southern coast of Shimo Koshikijima.
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A toshidon moves through the darkness toward houses with children. The hair is made of Chinese windmill palm husks, and the sides of the face mask are adorned with a mane made from sago palm leaves.
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In this dimly lit room, a boy stands at attention as he listens to the toshidon speak.
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The final act involves placing toshimochi rice cakes on children’s backs.
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Bulky as well as heavy, toshimochi rice cakes are believed to be the basis of otoshidama New Year’s gifts to children.
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This sign posted in front of Teuchi Elementary School is a second grader’s pledge: “I’ll be good, so watch over me.” The toshidon are vital to the growth of the island’s children as members of their community.
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