Sumo Wrestlers Taunt Toddlers in Annual Crying Baby Festival
Every year, shinto shrines throughout Japan hold the Nakizumō festival, where sumo wrestlers taunt babies. The first one to cry is declared the winner. The most well-known Nakizumō festival is held in Asakusa, Tokyo, where around 100 babies faced off in the ring this year.
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00:00Crying their eyes out, these cheerful toddlers are participating in a 400-year-old tradition.
00:11Around Children's Day, Shinto shrines throughout Japan hold the Nakizumo Festival.
00:16Sumo wrestlers hold the babies, while event organizers taunt the children with colorful
00:21fox and demon masks.
00:23The first baby to cry is declared the winner.
00:43The traditional festival is based on the belief that an innocent baby's tears ward off evil
00:48spirits.
00:49Many parents believe the louder the cry, the healthier the child.
00:56The most renowned Nakizumo Festival is held in Asakusa, Tokyo, where around 100 babies
01:00faced off in the ring this year.
01:19During the pandemic, many of these festivals were canceled, but now they have come back
01:24in full swing.
01:30Parents are hoping this centuries-old ritual will pass down, but above all, they're hoping
01:34to create memories with their children.
01:37May the best crybaby win.
01:41Dauphine Chen and Wesley Lewis for Taiwan Plus.