眠ねむり流ながし

noun

sleep demon banishing ritual

A folk ritual, especially in the Tōhoku region, to drive away the sleep demon (眠り流し). Often involves floating dolls or effigies down a river.

• 東とう北ほく地ち方ほうでは、夏なつに眠ねむり流ながしの行ぎょう事じが行おこなわれる。

  In the Tōhoku region, the sleep demon banishing ritual is held in summer.