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For most parents the harrowing sound of a baby crying is one they could probably do without.

But for competitors at the 400-year-old Naki Zumo festival in Japan, the more sobs your little one can muster, the better.

During the bizarre festival, sumo wrestlers hold babies in the air to see which one cries the loudest and for the longest amount of time.

Sumo wrestlers hold up babies in Japan's baby crying festival

The 400-year-old ritual is believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good health to the participating babies

 The baby who cries the loudest and for the longest amount of time is named the winner of the competition 

If the youngsters fail to cry the referee enters the arena and attempts to scare them into it by wearing traditional masks and making loud noises.

The ritual is said to be cathartic for the babies – bringing good health to those who take part as well as warding off evil spirits.

The annual festival, which has been held at various temples and shrines for the past four centuries, took place at the Kamitori Maekawa shrine in Yokohama.

If the babies fail to cry the referee enters the arena and scares them into it by wearing masks and making loud noises

The festival, which has been held at various temples and shrines, took place at the Kamitori Maekawa shrine in Yokohama

It coincides with Japan's 'Children Day' and parents pay up to £70 for the privilege of having their child participate.

In the video two babies can be seen held aloft by Sumo wrestlers, who attempt and succeed in making them cry.

After the ritual they are held to the crowd before being returned to their parents looking sorrowful and blotchy-faced.

Parents pay up to £70 for the privilege of having their child take part in the cathartic ritual

Mari Ichikawac (pictured) said: 'My son got surprised by their loud voices, so he cried. At home he doesn't cry that much'

One of the mothers, Mari Ichikawac, said: 'My son got surprised by their loud voices, so he cried. At home he doesn't cry that much.'

The video concludes with the babies posing for photographs while sitting with their parents on podiums.