About Us
Who are we?
We are the Danish Namahage Association – a group of cultural enthusiasts bringing the Namahage tradition from Japan to Denmark.
Although based in Denmark, we are happy to spread the Namahage culture throughout Europe and would gladly travel to other European countries for events and lectures.
The group consists of several volunteer members and our group leader, Andreas. At the moment, we have a total of five members and two full Namahage costumes. We are continually working to obtain more costumes so that more Namahage can take part in events.
Meet the group leader
Andreas Kronborg Danielsen holds a BA and an MA in Japanese Studies from Aarhus University. He has also studied at several universities in Japan and worked in the Japanese public sector, living in the country for more than five years. For several of those years, he lived and worked in Akita Prefecture, the home of the Namahage. He has published the books Japanske Folkeeventyr and Bambusfællerens Fortælling in Danish, and The Tale of Jiraiya the Gallant in English.
Andreas is the first (and only as of 2025) foreigner ever to be certified as a Namahage Professor/Missionary, or Namahage Dendōshi (なまはげ伝道師) in Japanese. The certification is earned through a written exam offered once a year on Oga and confirms that the holder knows enough about the Namahage to teach and inform others about it. In addition, he has completed training as a guide for the Oga Peninsula.
In addition to being certified to teach about the Namahage, Andreas also has hands-on experience as a Namahage. He is a member of the Kamayachi Namahage Association and has performed as a Namahage on New Year’s Eve in Akita. He is also the first foreigner ever to appear as a Namahage at the Namahage Sedo Festival and has been an active performing member of one of Oga’s Namahage Taiko groups.
In addition to his experience as a Namahage, Andreas has also obtained written permission to perform Namahage outside Japan. As far as we know, this written authorization is the only one of its kind.
Meet the members
At the moment, the Danish Namahage Association consists of five members: a leader, a secretary, and three volunteer Namahage. We warmly welcome new members and supporters to join the association, learn more about the Namahage, and even perform as one at an event. Contact us to become a member or learn more about Namahage.
Andreas Danielsen
Chief Namahage
Valentina Danielsen
Secretary & Namahage Tamer
Amin
Namahage Apprentice
Gabriel
Namahage Apprentice
Joar
Namahage Apprentice