JAPAN: Champion bulls lock horns in a traditional Okinawan bullfight quite unlike the Spanish or Portuguese versions

Record ID: 375473

  • Title: JAPAN: Champion bulls lock horns in a traditional Okinawan bullfight quite unlike the Spanish or Portuguese versions
  • Date: 29th August 2007
  • Summary: (L!1) URUMA, OKINAWA, JAPAN (RECENT) (REUTERS) WIDE OF BULLFIGHTING RING VARIOUS OF BULLS HEAD BUTTING BULL LIFTING UP ANOTHER BULL WITH ITS HORNS TO EDGE OF RING BROWN BULL AND BLACK BULL HEAD BUTTING CLOSE UP OF BULLS FIGHTING SPECTATORS WATCHING CLOSE UP OF HORNS OF BULLS BULLS PUSHING EACH OTHER SPECTATOR WATCHING BROWN BULL FLEEING BLACK BULL AFTER LOSING THE BATTLE
  • Embargoed: 13th September 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Japan
  • Country: Japan
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVA50OO0FIT11CBXTY1V69JX9AD8
  • Story Text: Thousands of local fans flocked to a bull ring to watch the much-anticipated, annual bullfighting championships on the Southern Island of Okinawa, 1,600 Km (994 miles) southwest from Tokyo.
    This Okinawan style of bullfighting is quite different from popular Spanish version in which a bull is pitted against a bullfighter and the battle is concluded with the death of a bull by stabbing a sword into it.
    Instead, a bull takes on another bull by butting their heads against one another until one of them runs away with its tail turning to the opponent.
    Though battles between super heavyweight bulls weighing nearly or over 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds) are in most cases very fierce to the extent of occasionally injuring or bleeding competitors, bulls have very rarely been killed as they usually stop attacking after seeing the opponent fleeing.
    "Once the battle is over, winner never hurts loser in our bull fighting. So I can say they (bulls) are fair and peaceful," said Masakazu Kochi, the organizer and the chairman of Okinawa Bullfighting Union.
    The origin of this style of bullfighting has not yet been clearly known, but it is said that it thrived as an entertainment for farmers in the agricultural off-season in the end of 19th century. Since then, bullfighting is looked at as the cultural heritage of the Okinawa island and has established a strong fan base among not only locals but tourists.
    "I can't help watching this exciting game. If they hold additional tournaments tomorrow or the day after tomorrow again, I will surely be attending them," said a 100-year-old who has been huge bullfighting fan through his centenary life.
    "I am overwhelmed by their powerful battles," added 73-year-old Mitsuo Akashi who saw the bout for the first time as he just recently moved here from Tokyo to spend his retired life on the tropical island.
    The match usually lasts less than 20 minutes but sometimes take more than one hour especially when each bull is not aggressive enough to pound on its opponent and rather chooses leaning their heads each other for resting.
    The bull ring turns into a sort of dance hall once the harsh battle is finished and supporters and owner of the winner bull start their celebration with dancing and traditional folk songs.
    "This bull likes fighting ever since he was born. I think his strength comes from his aggressive bloodline," said Masanori Otake, owner of the champion bull "Otake shashin-go" which won the lightweight class title match --- the first competition held this year and the main event of the day --- during showing off their champion trophy to crowds.
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