Naki Sumo, Crying Baby Contest, Held In Japan (PHOTOS)

Nakizumo: Japan Holds Annual Baby Crying Contest (PHOTOS)

Two sumo wrestlers stand facing each other. Each is holding a baby. They are playing a game - whoever can make their baby cry first wins.

It may sound bizarre, but this is the competition at the Naki Sumo festival, held at the Sensoji Temple in Tokyo earlier this month.

The event, held for over 400 years, is based on the concept that a long cry is good for the health of babies.

No physical pain is inflicted on the babies; the sumo wrestlers instead growl and scowl in order to get a wail. If both babies cry, whichever is loudest wins.

And if the babies don't cry, or, even worse, laugh? The wrestlers don masks.

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot