Japan's Nakizumo Or 'Crying Sumo' Festival

Japan's Sumo wrestlers are known for many things - their strength, their strict regiment, their size and now apparently, their ability to make babies cry - At least that's what they came to do in full force last weekend, at the Nakizumo or Crying Sumo Festival, which took place in temples all across the country.

The 400-year old tradition is based on the premise that a 'good wail' is healthy for babies and involves the wrestlers picking up the little ones and growling or making faces to get them to cry. The baby that cries first wins the competition. In case two babies start crying at the same time, the one that wails the loudest, wins!

While it may sound pretty cut and dry, things don't always go as predicted - Some babies start to laugh instead of crying, others simply stare at the wrestler in disgust, as if berating him for trying to scare someone so little!

While the babies are being harassed, the parents stay in the background and pray for their good health . . . . . And maybe also, that their babies cry loudly so that he/she can be declared winner!

sources:monstersandcritics.com,japanprobe.com