Okinawa, Japan 11: Togyu - Okinawan Bullfighting
Written & Directed by James Knott

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In Okinawa, there is bullfighting (ushi-zumo), but there is no Matador. It involves two bulls battling head-to-head in a contest of strength.

OKINAWA, JAPAN

Okinawa is Japan's southernmost prefecture. Over 1.25 million people are scattered across nearly 150 islands.

Okinawa has a unique culture that goes back several hundred years to when it was an independent country known as the Ryukyu Kingdom. This kingdom was known to trade frequently with China and as a result adopted much more from the Chinese than the rest of Japan.

The main island, Okinawa-honto, is surrounded by vivid, bright blue ocean and coral reefs. It is densely populated and urbanized in the south, while the the mountainous northern part of the island consists of just a few fishing villages and dense forests.

The beautiful, sub-tropical setting combined with historical roots that are more intertwined with China than Japan, have created a wonderful culture that is distinctly Okinawan.

TRANSCRIPT
Okinawa, Japan 11: Togyu - Okinawan Bullfighting

Togyu is bullfighting with a twist. In Okinawa there is no matador it
is a bull vs bull contest of strength.

Also known as ushi-zumo or Bull sumo, togyu was started hundreds of years
ago by farmers pitting their bulls against each other for sport.

This rural tradition of the past continues on today.

Folks arriving at the bullfighting ring walk by the stable, where bulls wait
for their turn to battle.

The crowd gathers under shade trees to enjoy the event.

before the first bulls lock horns, goats butt heads to entertain the
arriving spectators.

The bulls are lead out to the ring one at a time.

A schedule of events shows the lineup of the days matches. Bulls are
divided into weight classes and the lighter bulls go first.

The matches are like sumo wrestling because they are a contest of strength.
The point is not for the bulls to harm each other, and in fact, if a bull
accidentally gores its opponent the match is immediately over.

Just like sumo wrestling, the bulls are ranked by ability, with the top bull
in the sport being called the yokozuna.

The bulls lock horns and try to push each other backwards using all their
might.

Each bull has a handler that encourages it to win and these guys are half
the entertainment. They stomp their feet and shout like madmen in an attempt
to energize the bull.

The matches are punctuated with spurts of energy and excitement.

Exhausted bulls will sometimes hold their ground for several minutes while
they catch their breath.

The match ends when one bull grows tired and retreats from the struggle.

Sometimes they submit, only to reengage.

The winning bull is draped with a cloth and the owner of the bull is given a
gift to celebrate.