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This
festival brings in children of all ages and sizes from all around
the prefecture to compete in the "sport of the gods",
sumo. The younger ones compete in mock battles, the only goal in
it is to bring good luck to the participants. The older ones compete
for real in the same ring.
Before
the sumo contests can begin there are a number of ceremonies and
chants which must be completed. They made offerings to the Shinto
gods with the aid of a priest. Fruits, rice cakes, and drinks were
offered to the shinto gods by a priest.
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Then there
is a staged battle between
several costumed heroes and an evil dragon.
Following
the re-enactment of the legendary battle was a traditional dance.
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The master of ceremonies
was a very reluctant little boy who, even through his tears of
embarrasment, was able to shout out the last words of the traditional
opening. The participants all wear mawashi, or loincloth.
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The volunteers
push the two babies together in a mock-combat
routine and gently press each one's back to the ground (this is good luck!).
Though
most of the time both babies cried,
they were both lifted high up after the match and awarded prizes.
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