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.
In the Tōhoku region, the sleep demon banishing ritual is held in summer.
Compound of 眠り (nemuri, 'sleep') and 流し (nagashi, 'flushing away'), referring to the act of washing away sleepiness or a sleep demon.