Matsuri Festivals
Minato Hashira Shrine Baby Sumo Ring Ceremony
Sat, Oct 10, 2026 · Old Kaibu Junior High School Gymnasium, Kaiyo · Tokushima
This event has ended. See what is coming up next:
Dates
- Sat, Oct 10, 2026
About this event
SummaryAdorable babies participate in a traditional sumo entry ceremony at Minohashira Shrine.
Highlights
- Baby boys born in the past year perform the shikiri-tori (sumo entry ceremony).
- Participants wear vibrant mawashi (sumo belts) featuring tigers or eagles.
- Names are embroidered on the belts as sumo wrestler nicknames (shikona).
- Red and white striped headbands (dandara) transform them into little sumo wrestlers.
- Referees announce names and pray for the children's strength and courage.
Details
This annual festival is passed down through generations at Minohashira Shrine. It is held on the day before the Aki Matsuri (Autumn Festival) of Ohtari Hachiman Shrine. During the event, baby boys wear colorful mawashi with symbols of courage, such as tigers or eagles, and their names are stitched on as shikona. A red and white striped dandara is tied tightly around their heads. As they step onto the dohyo (sumo ring), the referee announces their shikona and holds it high, praying that the children grow up strong, healthy, and courageous like sumo wrestlers.
Also on the list: Matsuri Festivals in Tokushima
No events on these dates. Try another filter.
