Naki Sumo Crying Baby Festival
naki sumo cry baby festival japanese 泣き相撲 hepburn nakizumō annual japanese festival baby held arm sumo wrestler openair sumo ring two baby compete short match first child cry proclaimed winner according japanese folklore cry baby power ward evil spirit strong loud cry indicates child grow strong healthy naki sumo festival held throughout japan year festival considered origin folk belief loud cry innocent baby power ward demon evil spirit japanese proverb naku ko wa sodatsu meaning cry baby grow fastest additional source inspiration festival naki sumo festival held annually shinto shrine throughout japan commonly around may coincide childrens day end golden week holiday specific custom tradition festival vary location main focus every festival ritualistic prayer good health baby competition infant held sumo wrestling ring shinto priest open festival ritual pray healthy growth baby staff shrine handmake fourpronged kabuto helmet participant wear cry competition create commemorative gift souvenir parent next cry baby competition held outdoors handmade sumo ring two baby time compete short match held arm professional student sumo wrestler first child cry declared winner bestowed blessing good health child cry simultaneously baby louder longer cry typically victor sumo wrestler employ variety technique encourage cry including bouncing baby arm making loud noise funny scary facial expression chanting naki naki naki cry cry cry english version festival neither baby cried number minute referee judge donning traditional japanese mask approach baby attempt scare end match family spectator yell phrase banzai raku meaning live long bestknown naki sumo festival held year asakusa tokyo student sumo wrestler sensōji temple hold baby arm baby begin cry student wrestler raise baby higher air believed strengthen blessing endowed cry child gokoku shrine hiroshima baby dressed kimono seated facing one another pillow sumo referee encourages baby cry eligible competitor must age month month time festival around baby compete year festival free open public however shrine temple require parent submit application pay fee participate location popular child chosen lottery parent travel across japan find place participate majority participant japanese foreigner traveled japan partake festival cnn interviewed japaneseamerican couple flew new york attend festival asakusa consequence covid pandemic japan many naki sumo festival scheduled spring cancelled postponed fall lutz jaime april sumo wrestler bring baby tear part century old festival abc news retrieved july official website gallery image naki sumo festival across japan