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Baby sumos crying competition - 19th May 2023

In Japan, parents love their babies to cry - at least during the 'Crying Baby Sumo' tournament. Babies and toddlers wearing spotless sumo aprons are held up by their parents, who stand opposite one another and wait for the sound of sobbing.

Shigemi Fuji's Chairman of the Asakusa Tourism Federation, which organised this competition in Tokyo.

Shigemi Fuji: "Some people may get surprised to see this event and think it’s terrible that we make babies cry. But in Japan, we believe babies who cry powerfully also grow up healthily. This kind of event takes place in many places in Japan."

Traditionally, the babies were placed in the arms of genuine sumo wrestlers but these days it's the parents' duty, thanks to the pandemic. One father, Rintaro Okamura, is thrilled to be present with his eight-month old baby.

Rintaro Okamura: "We heard about the event this year. We're happy that we can take part in it this year. Although she doesn't usually cry so much, I want her to cry today and win a bout."

Temples and shrines across the entire nation host the family event, but the competition rules can differ. While in some locations it's the baby who's the last to cry that succeeds, in others – like here in the capital – it's the initial crier who's victorious.

The youngsters are startled by people wearing scary devil masks, or "oni", in an attempt to make them cry. The performance is judged by the referee, beautifully clothed in a traditional outfit, who carries a large wooden fan.

It is a point of pride for mothers and fathers alike to hear their baby in floods of tears. A hearty cry demonstrates that a child is in very good health, as this mother, Hisae Watanabe, well knows.

Hisae Watanabe: "We can tell a baby’s health condition by listening to the way they cry. Today, she may get nervous and not cry so much, but I want to hear her healthy crying."