lit strength stones weighing stones heavy rocks 8th century japan develop demonstrate physical strength commonly found competition physical fitness entertainment famous examples tourist attractions recognised competitive stone lifting continued modern times number competitive forms stone lifting exist employing different physical techniques history strength stones found japan strength stones recorded japan designated important cultural assets inscribed names feats lifted oldest known inscribed stone dates recorded strength stone lifting attributed practice older dating 8th century called japanese portuguese dictionary published includes term written record early 17th century published nagasaki associated jesuit priest records modern pronunciation written form term traditional sports solely preserve class popular peasants sake brewers valued manual labor young people similar practices called existed involved lifting sacks rice barrels sake sporting aspect stone lifting developed seventeenth century likely evolving sack lifting contests labourers historically lifting strength stones exclusively practiced men practice lifting strength stones especially popular 19th early 20th centuries roughly coinciding period organised competitions occurring stones competition usually inscribed weight measured unit approximately naturally smooth sculpted roughly oval shape strength stones tourist attractions legends attached example tourists visit strength stone associated tale according story awarded possession heavy stone managed lift horse collapsed died weight stone memory erected stone horse grave marker famous stone huge rock supposedly moved present day current resting place mount folk hero viewed high purpose general lack recorded evidence makes difficult intended purpose stone lifting assumed practice competition physical fitness entertainment purposes wrestlers known perform feats bouts entertainment audience records competition techniques winners list men strength ranks competitors weights lifted indicate competitive aspect strength stones modern times strength training particularly martial arts practices known special stones manufactured purpose usually wooden handle aid manipulation stones known common practice solo training improve upper body strength prevalence stones temples led speculation rock lifting future practice known ease lifted stones indicated likelihood preferred outcome occurring notably practiced ancient modern day smaller versions stones placed child bed belief strengthen child sport forms competition employed stone lifting particular type stone stones simplest form requiring competitors rock known ground head participants pause grip rock chest height shoulder carried stone contests required stone lifted shoulder form employed heavier rocks known allowed use rope wrapped stone stone carrying competitions aim carry stone far possible winner naturally man carried greatest distance whilst foot receiving contests featured extremely heavy stones lifted feet competitors lying backs rocks heavy lifted clear ground employed stone raising type stone called aim raise stone balanced edge stone lifting contests place modern era city hosts annual competition local teams participate difference spelling reflects early portuguese japanese language difference early 17th century modern
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