Our Daily Lives as a Resource - Tokunoshima Tourism and Bullfighting

Those visiting Tokunoshima should see the bulls going on a leisurely stroll with its owner. As big as a car, the bulls walking like a tank is a unique sight to see.

Every year, there are three tournaments held around various bullrings across the island. Bulls are separated into weight classes, where bulls weighing less than 700kg join the “Mini Cup”, and those weighing around a ton join the “No Mercy Cup”. They are also given ranks of “Yokozuna” like sumo wrestlers. The organizers match-up bulls of similar sizes and strength in order for the fights to be entertaining.. The highest rank, the “Island Yokozuna” is a dream of every bull owner.

Tokunoshima’s bullfighting culture is over 400 years old. There are many theories for where it originiated from, but the “Nakusami” culture gives insight of its origins. “Nakusami” means “Comforting”, and it is believed that bullfighting was used relieve the stress from the cows at the end on each year.

As time went on, the “Nakusami” became a tradition. Bullfighting is done by specially trained bulls, who learn the art of fighting from a young age. The leisurely strolls one may see on the shore is meant to train the bulls agility.

Mr. Fukumoto says, “I used to be scared of Bullfighting. I only saw one match, and I never understood what was so interesting about it. I felt bored unlike the other spectators who were roaring with passion”.

His response was surprising considering the fact that he runs a business where customers can spend time will bulls.

Mr. Fukumoto was born and raised in Tokunoshima and went to a high school in Kyushu. As a college student, he created a student group, and worked with the private sector to work on Tokunoshima’s tourism and culture. He came back to Tokunoshima after graduating, and worked on bullfighting to create a new tourist resource.

“People say bullfighting is inhumane. But it also represents all of Tokunoshima. Through researching, I learned that people pour their blood and souls to raise those bulls”, says Mr. Fukumoto.

Mr. Fukumoto says, “Their food and sheds are specific for bullfighting bulls. They have a lot of work to do everyday. Feeding the bulls, walking them, brushing them, and massaging them on hot days. Bull owners have their main job as well, so they tend to their bulls in their free time. The bulls’ training schedule and diet are also specialized depending on its condition. They make a special porridge, put weights on their necks… just so much to do”.

The bulls' expressions change as they prepare for battle.

“The day of battle is like sending your children to war. Come back safe… that’s probably what they think. Owners usually cry regardless of the outcome. Everyone aims for the Yokozuna title but it isn’t that significant and fight money is provided equally to both parties. The only thing that they truly gain is honor, and yet he owners do their best to win that and that surprised me. That’s what got me into the art of bullfighting”.

Bullfighting is not just about the matches. It’s about the relationship between man and bull. The birth of “The Bullfighting Experience” allows tourists to experience feeding, brushing, and strolling a bull. Mr. Fukumoto’s personal experiences led to the creation of this experience, which raises awareness of bullfighting to pave the future of this culture.

“Bullfighting is based on Nakusami. Some owners don’t care about commercializing bullfighting. I understand, but the number of owners are slowly decreasing and the his culture may cease to exist one day. In order to keep it going, we need to promote the culture and gain more recognition”.

Mr. Fukumoto’s actions need the help of bull owners. Not just to raise money, but to foster relationships with other owners that believe in the same idea. He believes that this is what will keep the bullfighting culture alive, and also keep his business running.

The Bullfighting Experience aims to solve current problems via tourism. Not just tourism for the sake of being tourism. That’s what makes it work, thinks Mr. Fukumoto.

“Tokunoshima was designated as a world heritage in 2021 alongside other islands. As demand increases for tourism, we also need to understand that the island is not inhabited by those who are in the tourism business. Due to being a world heritage, we’ve had to adapt to some changes such as losing access to certain areas. Thus, we wanted to connect our daily routines with tourism, to make sure that we are all united as one”.

Tokunoshima tourism is based on “Touring through Lives”, says Mr. Fukumoto.

“We wanted tourists to experience the slow moving daily routines of the people. Islanders can share a small portion of their lives to tourists, like bullfighting. Tourists can enjoy Nakusami and relax from the busy cityscapes. We hope to share those small blessings like Nakusami that are a part of the foundation of Tokunoshima”.

Tokunoshima evaded commercialization, and they are lucky to be able to create a tourism culture from scratch. Tokunoshima aims to share their daily lives in a form of a tourist attraction, and tourists can contribute to preserving the culture by learning more about the island.