'Crying sumo' – baby crying contest held at Kyoto shrine, Japan
2024-Jun-26 08:00
Over 100 children competed at the Kyoto Shrine last May 2024 for who to cry first.
People accompanying the participants prayed for the children's good health alongside the competition.
The "Kitano Tenjin Nakizumo" contest featured children aged 5 months old to 2 years. In the competition, two small children would face each other and the first one to cry wins.
Nomi no Sukune, recognized as the founder of sumo and ancestor of Sugawara No Michizane, is closely associated with this shrine, which is why it has strong ties to sumo.
Meanwhile, the unusual event called Nakizumo Crying Baby Festival is being held as a blessing for the babies as "Naku Ko Wa Sodatsu" translates to "crying babies grow", meaning babies who cry are believed to grow up strong and healthy. (Leiyan Piadozo)