Nakizumo: Crying Baby Sumo
February 23, 2015"Crying Baby Sumo of Ikiko Shrine" in Momiyama-machi, Kanuma, is an interesting event held to pray for the healthy growth of children. September 19th (if it is not Sunday, next Sunday) is designated as a major ritual day every year and the sumo takes place on that day.
There is a sumo wrestling ring in the precincts of the Ikiko shrine where the guardian god of easy delivery and child-rearing is enshrined. Shrine parishioners in charge disguise themselves as a sumo wrestler in a loincloth and step onto the sumo ring from the both sides (east and west) lifting an infant up in their arms. A bout starts when the parishioners hold up the infants up high with shouts. The event used to have a rule that whoever cries first is the winner but there is no winning or losing anymore.
Translation: Marie Mine, reviewed by Maiko Hayashi
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Nakizumo: Crying Baby Sumo