Participant Dressed as Sarutahiko at the Onomichi Betcha Festival

The central figure wears a vibrant red mask with a long, prominent nose, characteristic of the Tengu-like deity Sarutahiko, framed by a thick, shaggy white wig and beard. They are dressed in a bright green robe with red sleeves and a black wristband, holding a green, bamboo-like ritual implement known as a 'betcha-bou'. The background is crowded with festival attendees, including a child being held by an adult and another performer in a white and purple costume, indicating a busy public square in Onomichi.

This figure represents Sarutahiko-no-Okami, a Shinto deity of crossroads and guidance, who is central to the annual Betcha Matsuri in Onomichi. The festival involves performers dressed as three specific deities—Betcha (Somen), Shojo, and Jinja—who roam the streets to exorcise evil and ensure the health of local children.