A baby wailing its arms, howling in misery and shedding tears galore is typically perceived as a sign that Little Timmy or Little Tina needs his/her diaper changed. However, this general outlook doesn’t apply to Japan—or at least not to Japan’s notorious ‘Crying Sumo’ contest.
The Nakizumo festival, which translates to ‘baby cry sumo,’ is celebrated every year outside a Buddhist shrine in Tokyo known as the Sensō-ji Temple. The most recent incarnation of this wild and wacky tradition occurred Sunday, April 25, and included a Buddhist monk, a batch of overweight shrine officials attired in sumo gear—although some news outlets claim that they are in fact sumo wrestling students—and, of course, a bunch of really ticked-off babies.
The festival first begins with a blessing from the monk, who according to ABC “dabs a ceremonial stamp on the forehead of each baby.” Then each sumo picks up a baby and is tasked with making it cry; in fact, whosever baby bursts into tears first is heralded as the winner. And in case two babies simultaneously begin bawling, victory then goes to whosever baby cries the loudest.
Tactics used to break the babies include gently shaking them left and right or rocking them up and down, growling and making mean, scary faces. In case a baby dares and laughs (it does happen), monks donning frightful masks are brought in to assist. All the while, the head monk utters “nake, nake,” which means “cry, cry.”
Thousands of mothers line up every year to volunteer their babies, who must be no younger than 6 months and no older than 3 years, into the competition. Not only is winning good in that it sucks to lose, but children capable of producing an “impressive wail” are considered to be in better health than those too shy or weak in vocal chords to do as such.
Several theories exist as to the Nakizumo festival’s origins, but it is speculated that the tradition began approximately 400 years ago during the Edo era, which encompasses 1603-1867. However, some claim that a crying baby once removed the presence of a malicious ghost. Either way, the Crying Sumo competition continues to this day.
For a glimpse into this year’s festival, take a glimpse below. Parents against baby cruelty might want to look away.
http://www.weirdasianews.com/2010/05/05/japans-crying-sumo-contest-loud-babies-wanted/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=251FxYX7jWo&feature=player_embedded
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