Crypto Village Newsletter #35 - 4/15
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The News of the Week:
Protecting, Growing, and Sharing – The Tradition of Bull Sumo and Community Bonds in Yamakoshi (Part.1)
This is Part 1 of a blog post series originally published in a Japanese magazine.
Protecting, Growing, and Sharing – The Tradition of Bull Sumo and Community Bonds in Yamakoshi
When people think of Yamakoshi, they often think of Nishikigoi—the beautiful ornamental carp that Japan is famous for. But this small village also holds another powerful tradition that has lasted over 1,000 years, Bull Sumo.
The bulls’ fights are intense, but what really grabs your heart is the role of the seko—the people who step into the ring with their bare hands to pull the bulls apart and bring the match to a draw. It’s exciting, emotional, and deeply moving to watch.
The Nishikigoi NFT project started with the idea of sharing Yamakoshi’s symbol, the koi fish. But as the community grew, more people started taking interest in another local tradition—Bull Sumo. That’s how the Bull Sumo Fan Club began. It’s now supported by both locals and fans from outside the village.
One of the people keeping this tradition alive is MC Acchan. He works on-site as a seko, fighting alongside the bulls. The seko play a key role: they guide the bulls, calm them when they get excited, and know the right time to end the match. They build deep trust with the bulls and help protect this cultural tradition.
At the same time, RYU, a “digital villager,” started the Bull Sumo Fan Club from outside the region. He’s working to share the charm of bull sumo with more people, using DAO ideas to create a new kind of fan club.
Now that tradition and technology are coming together, what do these two see in the future of Bull Sumo? Through their stories, we explore the unique beauty of this culture—and where it might be headed next.
Crypto Village: First, could you please introduce yourselves? Acchan-san, we’d love to hear how you first got involved in Bull Sumo.
MC Acchan: I’m a seko, bull owner, and announcer (MC) for the bull sumo events in Yamakoshi. I live with my wife and our child. I grew up in a part of the village called Mushigame, where our house was right below the old bull arena (which has been taken down now). So when I was a kid, the arena was basically my playground. That’s why bull sumo felt natural to me from the start.
When I was about 22 or 23, the announcer at the time retired, and I took over.
Yamakoshi’s bull sumo is very different from other types of bullfighting. In our tradition, bulls are cared for like family. The goal is not to win, but to stop the match before anyone gets hurt. That spirit is something we really value.
Crypto Village: As someone running these events, what do you find most exciting about Bull Sumo? And what should first-time visitors look out for?
MC Acchan: It’s not just about the bulls crashing into each other—there’s also a lot of strategy and back-and-forth that you might not expect. I hope more people can see how amazing it really is. The energy and the atmosphere are something you can only feel in person—not through a screen.
As a fan, I also think it’s fun to pick a favorite bull and follow its progress over time. For example, I’m a big fan of a bull called Kainosho, who fights in Iwate’s Taira bull sumo. I look forward to watching him grow each year.
Crypto Village: What kind of things do you do to prepare for the events and keep this tradition alive? Are there any current challenges?
MC Acchan: There are quite a few challenges, like finding enough bulls and training new seko. I’m doing what I can to help. We do a lot to get ready. Once the snow melts, we fix up the arena and start trimming the bulls’ hooves to keep them healthy. On the event day, all the members work together to welcome guests and run the show.
There have been some tough moments over the years, but my love for Bull Sumo has kept me going. I even became a local government worker so I could keep supporting the tradition. Maybe that’s why I’ve never really thought of it as hard work—it’s just something I want to keep doing.
Crypto Village: How are the bulls raised for Bull Sumo? And could you tell us a bit about the bond between the bulls and their owners?
MC Acchan: Before the Niigata Chuetsu Earthquake, most bulls were raised at their owners' homes. For owners living outside the village who couldn’t raise bulls themselves, we had shared barns. So back then, the bond between bulls and their owners was really strong.
Nowadays, most of the bulls are kept in shared barns, and Mr. Matsui, our chairman, takes care of them. Still, there are owners like me who visit on our days off to brush our bulls and spend time with them. There are about 40 bulls in the shared barn, but when I show up, my bull stands up and shows me his face. I truly feel he recognizes me. Brushing him, taking care of him—it all builds that connection. You can feel the bond grow over time.
Crypto Village: The Bull Sumo Fan Club is a fresh and exciting initiative. What are your thoughts on this kind of activity? How do you think it might shape the future of Bull Sumo? And what are your hopes for 10 or 20 years from now?
MC Acchan: In places like Okinawa and Tokunoshima, where Bull Sumo also has a long history, it’s common for groups to co-own a bull. I think it would be amazing if the Bull Sumo Fan Club could do the same—own a bull together as a group here in Yamakoshi. That could be a great next step.
And if people from the fan club came all the way to Yamakoshi to watch their bull compete, that would be the best. That kind of connection between the fans and the tradition is what helps Bull Sumo thrive and carry on.
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