Ushi-zuki. Bull Sumo in the Oki Islands

 

Bullfighting takes place in numerous areas across the country of Japan, but it is not the man versus bull familiar in the West, but rather "bull sumo", called ushi-zuki here in the Oki Islands, where 2 bulls "fight" each other.

There are 4 rings where the sport in held on Dogo, the main island of the Oki Islands. Three are outdoors, but one is covered and is where demonstration bouts are held for tourists.

It is said that the sport began in the 13th century as entertainment for the exiled Emperor Gotoba on neighbouring Nakanoshima island, but it is no longer held there.

The bouts are organized by weight groupings, not by age.

Each bull has a handler holding a rope connected to the nose ring, and can pull the bulls apart if it looks like injury may occur.

The two bulls lock horns and then attempt to push each other, sometimes spinning. Once one backs down the bout is over, but ut can take up to ten minutes, so is longer than human sumo.

It is claimed that there is no gambling involved, but I remain sceptical. Gambling is technically illegal in Japan,..... except for horse-racing, boat racing, lottery, and pachinko etc.....as a side note, cock-fighting was very widespread in Japan and dates back to ancient times, but I have never heard of any taking place nowadays.

The previous post in this series on the Oki Islands was on a fishing quay nearby.

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