Have you ever imagined receiving a prize for your baby’s cry? 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 it’s not just any cry! 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 for the longest time.
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The Cultural Significance of Crying
Unlike popular sayings like “there’s no use crying over spilled milk” or “those who don’t cry, don’t get fed,” Nakizumo celebrates crying. For the Japanese, loud crying 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 Sensoji Temple in Tokyo. In cities like Aomori, in the north of the country, the competition is open to babies from four months to two years old. The format involves two men dressed as sumo wrestlers, who hold the babies and place them face to face. The one who cries the loudest or first wins!
How the Competition Works
During the festival, judges try to stimulate the babies to cry in different ways. In the case of the competition at Sensoji Temple, 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 to scare them and provoke crying.
The referee, dressed traditionally, holds a wooden fan to announce the winner of the competition. It is a festive event, but it also has deep cultural significance for Japanese families.
The Post-Pandemic Nakizumo
After a four-year suspension due to the pandemic, the Nakizumo festival returned in full force in 2023, on April 22, at Sensoji Temple, with the participation of at least 64 babies. Parents and spectators were able to watch the event, which is a true cultural spectacle.
The babies, dressed in small aprons, were held by their parents while the judges did everything to encourage crying. In the end, the baby who cried first was the winner, in a ceremony full of joy and tradition.
The Origin of Nakizumo
The Nakizumo festival is part of the Golden Week, a period of national holidays in Japan that occurs between late April and early May. The tradition of Nakizumo is over 400 years old and is linked to the Japanese proverb “Naku ko wa sodatsu,” which means “a crying child grows.”
Although the festival is held in various regions of Japan, Sensoji Temple, located in the Asakusa district of Tokyo, is one of the main meeting points of this tradition. The event is a way to ensure 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 baby crying championship Nakizumo, 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 little ones must crawl or walk to the finish line, under the watchful eyes of their parents and the audience.
Participating in or watching a crying championship may seem unusual, but for Japanese families, it is a tradition filled with meaning and hope for a healthy future for their children. And you, would you have the courage to take your child to participate in Nakizumo?
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