Nakizumo Festival: Babies crying in the arms of sumo wrestlers

Culture, Japan

Per Sabrina

Can you imagine receiving a prize for your baby's crying? In Japan, this is possible thanks to the traditional baby crying championship known as "Nakizumo" (泣き相撲) held annually in Tokyo and other parts of Japan.

This event, which seems unusual to many, involves a competition where babies are encouraged to cry. But not just any crying! Depending on the region and the rules of the event, the winner can be the one who cries first, or even the one who cries the loudest or the longest.

Nakizumo festival: babies crying in the arms of sumo wrestlers

The Cultural Significance of Choro

Unlike popular sayings such as "there's no point crying over spilt milk" or "he who doesn't cry, doesn't suck", Nakizumo celebrates crying. For the Japanese, crying loudly is seen as a sign of health and vitality for babies. According to tradition, it is believed that crying helps babies grow strong and healthy.

The event is held in various places in Japan, with the most famous taking place at the Sensoji Temple in Tokyo. In cities such as Aomori, in the north of the country, the competition is open to babies aged between four months and two years. The format involves two men dressed as sumo wrestlers, who hold the babies and put them face to face. Whoever cries the loudest or first wins!

How the Competition Works

During the festival, the judges try to encourage the babies to cry in different ways. In the case of the Sensoji Temple competition, the referees shout "naki, naki, naki", which means "cry, cry, cry". For babies who start to laugh or even fall asleep, "oni" masks, which represent Japanese demons, are used to try and scare them into crying.

The referee, dressed traditionally, holds up a wooden fan to announce the winner of the competition. It's a festive event, but it also has deep cultural significance for Japanese families.

O Nakizumo Pós-Pandemia

After being suspended for four years due to the pandemic, the Nakizumo festival returned in full force in 2023 on April 22 at Sensoji Temple, with at least 64 babies taking part. Parents and spectators were able to follow the event, which is a true cultural spectacle.

The babies, dressed in little aprons, were held by their parents while the judges did everything they could to encourage them to cry. In the end, the baby who cried first was the winner, in a ceremony full of joy and tradition.

Nakizumo festival: babies crying in the arms of sumo wrestlers

The Origin of Nakizumo

The Nakizumo festival is part of Golden Week, a period of national holidays in Japan that takes place between the end of April and the beginning of May. The Nakizumo tradition is over 400 years old and is linked to the Japanese proverb "Naku ko wa sodatsu", which means "a child who cries grows up".

Although the festival is held in various regions of Japan, the Sensoji temple, located in Tokyo's Asakusa district, is one of the main meeting points for this tradition. The event is a way of ensuring the health and prosperity of children, and many Japanese families participate with pride.

We recommend reading: Golden Week in Japan - A Week of Holidays

Would you participate?

In Japan, in addition to the traditional Nakizumo baby crying championship, there are other events and competitions involving babies that also attract a lot of attention and fun. A popular example is the Baby Race, a competition where the little ones have to crawl or walk to the finish line, under the watchful eyes of their parents and the public.

Taking part in or watching a crying championship may seem unusual, but for Japanese families, it's a tradition full of meaning and hope for a healthy future for their children. Would you dare take your child to participate in Nakizumo?

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