Festivals are often boisterous, lively, and noisy events. It may be even worse at the Nakizumo Crying Baby Festival, where babies' piercing cries pierce the air above the commotion! Interesting, right?
Every spring, around the Golden Week holiday, Japanese parents watch with great excitement as their children take part in one of the city's most extraordinary traditions. In Sumo wrestlers carry toddlers aloft to determine who can wail the loudest.
In this article, you'll read:
- facts about Nakizumo Crying Baby Festival
- What happens in Nakizumo Festival
- Can this festival cause your childhood trauma?
What is the Nakizumo Festival?
The unusual celebration originated with the Japanese idea "naku ko wa sodatsu," which translates to "crying babies grow". According to Japan Travel, this is a belief that newborns who cry loudly will grow up to be strong and healthy, while also warding off spirits.
To western people, the idea of purposely making babies cry appears absurd, if not cruel. However, a deeper examination reveals that the event has an interesting history based on custom. The celebration itself has thought to date back at least 400 years ago.
Crowds go to the temple grounds to see newborns compete in the 400-year-old Nakizumo Crying Baby Festival takes held every April 29 and is considered a national holiday.
Each infant is partnered with a sumo wrestler who is supposed to make their baby cry in front of their opponent. Though the concept is slightly frightening, the resulting image appears to be healthy!
Sensoji Temple
Smaller versions of the Nakizumo Crying Baby Festival can be found in their neighbourhood or town but the main event is celebrated each year at the Sensoji Temple in Tokyo's Asakusa area.
Sensoji Temple is by far the most popular event venue. The historic Buddhist temple is the oldest in Japan's capital city, and it has a rich history related to the Tendai branch of Buddhism.
If the loud cries of babies aren't your thing, the location is still worth a visit! This age-old ritual draws people from all around the country, including both Japanese residents and tourists.
It may appear to be a traumatic experience for a child but be sure that the objective of the celebration is to ensure that the newborn has a long and healthy life ahead of them.
Not to add the picture of husky sumo wrestlers attempting to handle crying kids is a fairly amusing if odd sight, what do you think?
What happens during the Nakizumo Festival?
The tournament held at Sensoji Temple in Asakusa begins with all competitors entering the dohy or sumo ring, which is held by a parent. The parents are then given a charm or blessing as well as a Chamaki dumpling.
Normally, Japanese spiritual belief states that no women are allowed in the circle because it is sacred (God is thought to be buried beneath), but because the celebration is not religious, mothers and infant daughters are welcome to enter as well.
The opposing babies then go inside the circle to compete against each other. The winner is whoever becomes the first or loudest to cry. Some of the competitors will eventually cry on their own, which is so entertaining to see!
The referee will wave and shout at them, or they may be the target of affectionate jostling by a wrestler. If that fails, the only option is to use the last resort: Oni (or 'devil') masks, which will possibly shock the children enough to set off the sobbing.
The festival's spirit is such that any crying babies are not perceived as distressed or upset, but rather as loud. Healthy infants whose successes in the ring are a blessed sign as they grow through childhood into adults.
In addition, some parents use it as an opportunity to give their children their first glimpse of life as a Sumo competitor in the hopes that they may develop an interest in the sport in the future.
Can the Nakizumo Crying Baby Festival cause childhood trauma?
Many people especially foreigners are asking if this festival could cause trauma to children.
According to one of the temple's monks, "sometimes the Japanese visitors who come to observe the event ask the same issue. We explain that the event is based on a belief that we have in Japan. A child who cries a lot will grow strong and well. I believe it is critical that people understand where everything is coming from."
"The father, mother, and grandparents from both sides all appear to enjoy coming. It is definitely a family affair, sometimes involving all of the other families. Everyone enjoys themselves at the event."
Also read: What Exactly Is Sharenting? How Dangerous It Is?