Uwajima Bullfighting: The 1000-Year Traditional Cattle Festival Passed Down in Southern Iyo

Uwajima Bullfighting: The Brave 1,000-Year Tradition That Southern Iyo is Proud of

Bullfighting in Uwajima City, Ehime Prefecture, is not human vs. animal like cockfighting or dogfighting, but a traditional event called "Ushi-Genka" where bulls fight each other. Said to have been passed down in the southern Iyo region for approximately 1,000 or more years, it is also designated as a national Intangible Cultural Property.

Bullfighting Events

Uwajima bullfighting is held five times a year (January, April, July, August, November). The sight of bulls weighing 500–1,000 kilograms fiercely clashing is overwhelming. A craft culture of "gijin" (referees) presiding over matches and "sewa-gakari" (handlers) conditioning the bulls can also be observed.

Bull Care and Bullfighters

Uwajima's fighting bulls are raised not as gambling like horse or bull racing, but as regional pride. "Bull handlers (bull masters)" who care for each bull are craftspeople who grow up together with bulls from childhood.

Relationship with Uwajima Ushi-oni Festival

Bullfighting is also held at the July "Uwajima Festival (Ushi-oni Festival)." Summer Uwajima where traditional bullfighting is held alongside ushi-oni (monster) parades is particularly lively.

Access

Uwajima Municipal Bullfighting Arena (Warei Park) is approximately 15 minutes on foot from JR Uwajima Station. Approximately 1 hour 20 minutes from Matsuyama city by limited express.