もぐら打うち

noun

mole driving; ceremonial mole chasing

A traditional event held around Koshōgatsu (Little New Year, January 15th), where children strike the ground with straw bundles to drive away moles and pray for a good harvest.

See also: 小正月

• 小こ正しょう月がつに、子こどもたちがもぐら打うちをして豊ほう作さくを祈いのった。

  On Little New Year, children performed mole driving to pray for a good harvest.