Praying for the growth of babies on Children's Day, crying sumo is held at Aoba-ku's Shitodomaekawa Temple/Yokohama

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1205050009/

May 5th, 2012

Children held high under the clear skies for crying sumo= The Shitodomaekawa Temple in Yokohama's Aoba Ward

On May 5th's Children's Day, babies were held under the blue skies at the Shitodomaekawa Temple in Shiritoridai, Aoba-ku, Yokohama City. In request for their healthy maturation, the babies took part in a crying sumo bout.

This is the first time the temple has held the crying sumo event. Crying sumo is spread nationwide by the Non-Profit Organization Isshin (All one's might) Naki Sumo (Japanese site). Rikishi from Japan Sport Science University's weightlifting department were in charge of holding the children.

Chief Priest Toyoura of Shitodomaekawa Temple commented "Aoba-ku has many young couples and many babies. I would like for this event to take root in the area."

Original text:
青葉区の神社で泣き相撲、こどもの日に赤ちゃんの成長を祈願/横浜
2012年5月5日

澄み渡った空の下、幼児が高く掲げられた泣き相撲＝横浜市青葉区の神鳥前川神社

こどもの日の５日、澄み渡った青空の下、横浜市青葉区しらとり台の神鳥前川（しとどまえかわ）神社で赤ちゃんの成長を祈願する泣き相撲が行われた。

同神社で泣き相撲が行われたのは初めて。泣き相撲を全国に広めるＮＰＯ法人一心泣き相撲が協力、子どもたちを抱える力士は日本体育大学のウエートリフティング部が担当した。

同神社の豊浦宮司は「青葉区には若い夫婦が多く、赤ちゃんも多い。この泣き相撲を地域に根付かせたい」と話していた。