Mikoshi-nyudo's true identity is unknown, but in some areas, he is believed to be a shape-shifting weasel, fox or tanuki.

见越入道的真实身份仍是未知，但有些地区的人们相信他是由黄鼠狼，狐貍或貍变的。

youdao

The local young men's group, which plays a key role at festivals by carrying the mikoshi (portable Shinto deity's house), has all but disappeared.

CNN: ASIANOW - TIME Asia