The Naki-Sumo festival took place in Tokyo, where the most “vocal” baby was determined. Hundreds of children under one-year-old competed in the Senso-ji Buddhist temple, attracting the attention of numerous spectators, MIR 24 reports.
According to the rules, babies are held in the hands of sumo wrestlers, whose task is to make them cry. If the sumo wrestler doesn’t succeed, judges wearing frightening demon masks get involved.
Despite the seemingly dubious method, parents are happy to bring their children to this unusual competition. After all, according to ancient tradition, the louder a child’s cry, the healthier and stronger he is, and his cries drive away evil spirits.
For 400 years, the Naki Sumo Festival has remained an important part of Japanese culture.
