Did Japanese Sumo Wrestler Jokoryu Takayuki Perform the Shiomaki Ritual to Wish PM Modi a Happy 75th Birthday?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Jokoryu Takayuki performed the Shiomaki ritual to wish PM Modi a happy birthday.
- The ritual signifies the warding off of evil spirits.
- This event is a part of the Vishwa Sewa Pakhwada.
- PM Modi recently celebrated a significant win for the Indian cricket team.
- The ritual reflects strong cultural ties between Japan and India.
New Delhi, Sep 29 (NationPress) Jokoryu Takayuki, a Japanese sumo wrestler, performed the Shiomaki ritual as a means to repel evil spirits and bolster Indian Prime Minister Modi. This ceremonial act was part of the ‘Vishwa Sewa Pakhwada,’ during which Japan's youngest sumo wrestler extended his heartfelt wishes to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of his 75th birthday.
The Japanese sumo wrestler conveyed his birthday greetings to Prime Minister Modi while executing the Shiomaki ritual, which traditionally involves tossing salt into the sumo wrestling ring, held in Tokyo. This ritual is deeply entrenched in Shinto traditions, serving both a spiritual cleansing function and a practical aim to ward off malevolent spirits.
The Shiomaki ritual performed by Jokoryu Takayuki was part of the Vishwa Sewa Pakhwada, an initiative organized by the Indian Minorities Federation in Japan. The wrestler expressed his wishes in Japanese by saying ‘Tanjoubi Omedetou – Modi,’ which means happy birthday.
“Modi, you are a winner; I am also a winner. We both win battles,” Jokoryu Takayuki stated.
He continued, “I am excited to witness even greater accomplishments from you in the future. Keep up the amazing work.”
Recently, PM Modi congratulated the Indian cricket team after their victory in the Asia Cup, where they triumphed over Pakistan in the final held in Dubai on Sunday. The Indian team, having faced Pakistan for a third time in the 2025 edition of the tournament, achieved their third consecutive victory against the Men in Green, securing a record-extending ninth title.
“Operation Sindoor on the games field. The result remains unchanged - India wins! Congratulations to our cricketers,” PM Modi remarked in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
In the summit match, the Suryakumar Yadav-led Indian team defeated Pakistan by five wickets, clinching a thrilling last-over victory at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.