A traditional New Year's event to ward off evil has been held in the city of Wajima in central Japan for the first time in two years. The city was hit hard by the massive Noto Peninsula earthquake and heavy rain last year.

The folk ritual called "Amamehagi" was held in the Monzen district of the city on Thursday. Last year's event was canceled due to the quake on New Year's Day.

The ritual has been handed down in Wajima and Noto Town in Ishikawa Prefecture. It features people wearing masks of legendary creatures and monkeys. It has been registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Eight men in masks went around the community in two groups, and purified houses as they visited.

Amamehagi is said to have derived from the act of removing a burn-like symptom from people's legs caused by heating equipment. The ritual is meant to warn children against being lazy during the wintertime.

At a community center, the men asked children whether they would obey their parents, scaring them and making them cry.

A group of young residents said its members visited only about 40 houses, less than half the average, because many people still continue to live in shelters or elsewhere.

Masumoto Shogo, the group's leader, said the members decided to hold the event this year to try to keep up the tradition. He said he hopes there will be no more disasters.