Crypto Village Newsletter #36 - 4/30
Welcome back to our News Letter!
A huge thank you to all our new subscribers! This newsletter is brought to you by Crypto Village, where we share the latest updates on the Nishikigoi NFT project, Japanese local NFT initiatives, and much more.
The News of the Week:
Protecting, Growing, and Sharing – The Tradition of Bull Sumo and Community Bonds in Yamakoshi (Part.2)
This is Part 2 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
After wrapping up our conversation with MC Acchan, we're now moving on to chat with RYU, an OG digital villager.Building on everything we've discussed so far, we’re excited to hear RYU’s take on the project — where things stand today, and what lies ahead.
Crypto Village: First off, what sparked your interest in bullfighting? And when you first witnessed it in person, what was your initial impression?
RYU: I first experienced bullfighting on May 4th, 2023, during my second visit back to Yamakoshi. Every year, May 4th marks both the opening day of the bullfighting season and the local farmers' market festival (held at Orataru, where they sell wild vegetables and more). I enjoyed my first bullfighting match while munching on grilled beef skewers — it was an unforgettable experience.
If I had to sum it up in one word, it was “fascinating.” I was especially struck by how the "seko" (handlers) skillfully broke up the matches and how some of the handlers leading these massive bulls were women. It left a huge impression on me.
I wanted others to experience that same excitement, so the very next day, on May 5th, I shared footage of the bullfighting at Joi Ito’s Weekly GM session to showcase the magic of Yamakoshi.
Crypto Village: Tell us about the Bullfighting Fan Club (Ushi no Tsunotsuki Fan Club)! What kind of activities are you involved in, and what led you to start it? We'd also love to hear about the inspiration and passion behind it.
RYU: After falling completely in love with Yamakoshi, I organized a Yamakoshi tour with some friends from June 17–18, 2023. Of course, I chose the dates because there was a bullfighting event scheduled for the 18th, which was a must-see.
And that’s when something incredible happened — thanks to the generosity of the Bullfighting Association, I got the chance to actually lead a bull for the very first time!
Getting up close and personal with a bull named Inosuke was truly moving.
Then, after the July 16th bullfighting event, I was invited to a BBQ hosted by the Bullfighting Association. Chatting with everyone there, I realized how much I wanted to support bullfighting in a bigger way. That's when we, the Digital Villagers, decided to offer our first-ever hanakin to the bulls.
Without even noticing, I had already attended three consecutive bullfighting matches since the opening of the season! Having become a full-blown fan, I started talking with another Digital Villager and fellow bullfighting enthusiast, Midori Kanemitsu, about launching a fan club.
We planned another Yamakoshi tour for August 26–27, 2023, but I ended up sneaking away from the group on the 26th to join the local Bon Odori (summer dance festival), which happened to be its final night. There, I had the chance to chat with Mr. Seki from the Bullfighting Association.
The next day, August 27th, I participated in the bullring’s setup by helping with the grass cutting — my first time pitching in behind the scenes. That was the real beginning of our fan club activities. On September 17th, during another bullfighting event, we officially offered our first hanakin as the Bullfighting Fan Club.
Crypto Village: As someone coming from outside the region, is there anything about Yamakoshi or its bullfighting culture that struck you in a way the locals might not even realize? And how would you like to continue supporting it moving forward?
RYU: Both the breathtaking landscapes of Yamakoshi and the bullfighting itself are considered everyday life for the locals. But for “outsiders” like me, they’re truly rare and precious experiences — they’re living traditions that you can’t take for granted.
People often don't realize the value of everyday things until they’re gone, and when they are, that absence leaves a deep void.
Watching two massive bulls — some weighing over a ton — being carefully guided into a draw using human wisdom, courage, and love... it’s beyond moving.
If I were a little younger, I’d seriously want to become a seko myself, grabbing the bull by the nose and leading it into the ring!
Even just watching from the sidelines, you can feel the sheer energy and emotion of it.
And after a match, the bulls return to being playful and mischievous, which is absolutely heartwarming (honestly, the seko might be just as mischievous too!).
I’m deeply committed to sharing this incredible experience and rich tradition with as many people as possible. I want to help make sure it’s passed down to future generations.
That’s why I’m working to grow our fan club and spread the excitement — one day, I hope to see the bullring packed with so many fans that we can barely squeeze everyone in!
Crypto Village: NFTs and Web3 technologies are creating new ways for people to support traditional cultures — ways that were not possible before. How do you see these technologies potentially connecting with regional cultures in the future?
RYU: I recently published an article titled "Revitalizing Japan through Regional Innovation — The Future Opened by Web3 Participation for All" on note, and I’m currently working on a new piece specifically about our initiatives in Yamakoshi. Let me share a part of that upcoming article with you.
Blockchain is essentially a ledger that records data in chronological order, and it’s built to resist tampering. This is actually a huge breakthrough. In the past, recording and securing data meant setting up dedicated servers, implementing strict security measures, and bearing the costs of ongoing maintenance. But with blockchain, anyone can create a reliable, tamper-resistant ledger simply by paying a small transaction fee, known as "gas."
The potential applications are limitless. For example, anyone can issue tokens (FTs) that are tradable globally, or digital certificates (NFTs). Although the user interfaces are still a bit challenging, once you get used to it, even individuals or small organizations can leverage blockchain technology with minimal resources.
In fact, the Ushi no Tsunotsuki Fan Club is one example of how we’re already benefiting from this. Members of the club receive a digital membership certificate in the form of an NFT, which grants them voting rights to help shape the direction of the fan club. Only those who hold the NFT can vote. Although a small gas fee is required, we’ve been able to operate the system using free tools — something unthinkable just a few years ago.
Just imagining the possibilities is exciting. We could issue NFTs to certify official bull owners, distribute commemorative NFTs to repeat visitors and offer gifts once they collect a certain number, create “Favorite Bull NFTs,” or even launch a “Feed Support NFT” to collect donations for the bulls’ care. Maybe as fans accumulate more NFTs, their "fan level" could increase!
There are still many things we need to figure out, but the potential is vast, and the dreams keep expanding.
In Closing
The Ushi no Tsunotsuki Fan Club was born as a new way to support this centuries-old tradition. At its heart lies a passionate desire to preserve the culture that has been handed down through generations and to carry it forward into the future.
Through initiatives like these, more people will have the opportunity to discover the unique spirit of Ushi no Tsunotsuki, helping to grow a wider circle of support.
As that circle expands, this remarkable cultural tradition will surely continue to thrive.
If this has sparked your interest, we encourage you to check it out and become part of the movement!
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