Babies Take Part in Traditional Sumo Ceremony

HYOGO, Aug 26 (News On Japan) - In Shinonsen Town, Hyogo Prefecture, a traditional event known as ‘Chigo Dohyo-iri,’ which prays for the healthy growth of children, was held.

On August 24, at a shrine in Shinonsen Town, babies were carried by sumo wrestlers as part of the religious ceremony for the ‘Iwayama Jizo Daigongen Festival.’ The tradition holds that the louder a baby cries while being carried by the wrestler, the healthier they will grow up to be. Some babies cried loudly, while others showed no sign of being disturbed. This year, 15 children aged between six months and one and a half years participated in the event.

One of the parents shared, “I hope my child grows up to be strong and kind to others.”

Parents watching over the event were filled with wishes for the healthy growth of their children.

Source: MBS

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