On September 9, 2025, a "Crow Sumo" event was held at Kamigamo Shrine in Kita Ward, Kyoto City, where local boys offered sumo wrestling. Despite the lingering heat of summer, the boys energetically competed in a specially constructed sumo ring within the shrine grounds.
Crow Sumo is said to have originated from the legend of the grandfather of the shrine's enshrined deity, who transformed into a Yatagarasu (a Japanese crow), and combined this with sumo wrestling as a way to ward off evil spirits. The event is held in conjunction with the Choyo Shinto ritual, in which chrysanthemum flowers are offered to the shrine in prayer for longevity and protection from misfortune.
The event took place in front of a cone-shaped pile of sand called "Tatesuna." Two parishioners dressed in white robes hopped sideways like crows, imitating the sounds of crows calling out "caw-caw-caw" and "cow-cow-cow." This was followed by a performance by 18 third- to sixth-graders from a local elementary school. The sight of the wrestlers exerting all their strength to push their opponents out of the ring or throw them drew cheers and applause from the worshippers. Aya Yamauchi (25 years old), who served as the Saio-dai at this year's Aoi Festival, was also there to watch.
