Travel Memories, Japan

One photo and one memory from Minamata.

Welcome to Travel Memories! In this series, I will share one picture that brings fond memories of my travels. Every month, I will choose a photo and share the story or thoughts that come to mind when I look at it.

In this first episode, we go back to 2019 in Minamata, Japan.

I did a two-week volunteering camp in Minamata, and I was invited to attend a sumo competition, organised by the local school, on a Sunday morning. After the competition, I witnessed a particular ceremony or tradition, the Naki Sumo or "Crying Baby Sumo".

During the Naki Sumo ceremony, a rikishi holds infants or toddlers and gently tries to make them cry. It's believed that making a baby cry during this ceremony brings good luck and wards off evil spirits, ensuring the child's health and well-being. The louder the cry, the better the luck is believed to be. Parents willingly participate in this event, often bringing their babies dressed in colourful traditional attire.

There were around 10 kids and two Rikishi who tried to make them cry, and all of them did it. It was a beautiful Sunday and a big event for the local community. I enjoyed seeing people get together to enjoy this occasion, and being there for me was priceless.

See you soon,

Flavio