May 11, 2011
Holding a baby in their hands, sumo wrestlers faced each other and waited to see whose baby would cry first.
According to a Japanese proverb, Japanese people believe that the louder a baby cries, the more gods bless it (as cited at http://www.guardian.co.uk).
Parents normally take this crying baby contest as the opportunity to pray for their babies' health.
Some 50 babies aged under one participated in the annual baby crying contest. Japanese parents believe that sumo wrestlers can help make babies cry out a wish to grow up with good health, according to AFP.
Both sumo wrestlers and the priest will try to make babies cry. The baby with the loudest cry will be the winner if the two babies both cry at the same time (as cited at http://www.dailymail.co.uk).
Even the babies are set to cry, they sometimes just end up laughing, and this automatically finish the contest.
The competition took place at Tokyo's Sensoji temple. There are also other contests held at Ikiko shrine in Kanuma-ski, Tochigi, in September; Yamajioji temple in Shimotsu-cho, Wakayama, in October; and at Saikyoji temple, Hirado, in February.
It is believed that evil spirits will be driven away during this 400-year festival which takes place across Japan.
Japanese people firmly believe crying babies will grow fast. However, childcare expert Dr. Penelope argued that crying could damage developing brain and result in learning difficulties.
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