A printable December scene that could only come from Japan: two Namahage — the straw-caped, ogre-masked visitors of the Oga Peninsula in Akita — are trimming a Christmas tree hung with baubles, ribbons and, unexpectedly, a row of fish. Wrapped presents are stacked at their feet, a red daruma doll stands to one side, and three more Namahage cross the snowy sky on a sleigh. The large characters at the top read 12月, meaning December. Download and print the PDF for free — no registration needed.
🗣 Conversation Starters — for care activities and family time
Tell us about a December you remember.
Is there a food or a decoration from this time of year that has stayed in your memory?
Has the way people mark this occasion changed since you were a child?
What do you enjoy most at this time of year?
Who are the Namahage, and why are they at a Christmas tree?
The Namahage are masked figures in straw capes from the Oga Peninsula in Akita Prefecture, northern Japan. On New Year’s Eve, men of the village put on the masks and visit local homes, calling out to anyone who has been idle and then being welcomed with food and drink; the blades they carry are part of the costume, not a threat. The Oga Namahage were inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2018 as part of the Raiho-shin ritual visits. Christmas itself, on December 25, arrived much later and is kept in Japan mainly as a seasonal occasion — Santa Claus, Christmas cake and illuminations — which is why the two can share a page like this one.
Can this coloring page be used for care-home activities?
Yes. This page makes an easy conversation starter in reminiscence-style sessions — the Namahage on the one hand, Christmas on the other. Did you ever meet a Namahage as a child? What did December look like in your family? Sharing those memories while coloring keeps the conversation going.
Any tips for a neat, polished result?
Work from the largest areas first and save the fine details for last. If you go over a line, a white correction pen can tidy it up. With colored pencils, layering lets you control how light or deep each shade looks.
