Photos: 100 crying babies face off at sumo festival

'Crying Sumo' tradition started in 1991 to encourage the health and wellbeing of children

Last updated: April 30, 2024 | 13:05

2 MIN READ

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Babies and their parents take part in a ring-entering ceremony during 'Nakizumo' or a baby-crying sumo contest.

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Two wrestlers hold a baby each and a referee makes faces and loud noises to make them cry and determines the winner based on the loudest baby.

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The ritual is believed to aid the healthy growth of the children and ward off evil spirits.

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A parent brings her child to take part in the "crying baby sumo" match at Sensoji temple in Tokyo.

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Babies with their parents take part in a ring-entering ceremony.

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Ring assistants wear masks to scare babies held up by amateur sumo wrestlers.

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Sumo wrestlers hold children during their "crying baby sumo" match.

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A sumo wrestler holds a child during the "crying baby sumo" match.

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A baby cries while held up by amateur sumo wrestlers.

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A baby cries while held up by an amateur sumo wrestler.

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Babies cry while held up by amateur sumo wrestlers.

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A baby cries while held up by an amateur sumo wrestler.

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