Bullfighting designated as Uruma City’s cultural property
Number one in Okinawa, Yushin Maishinryu (right) against challenger Iramina Assou Daishingeki (left) during the open-weight division at the Uruma City Ishikawa Multipurpose Dome
July 11, 2018 Ryukyu Shimpo
By Mariko Uezu
During the meeting on July 10, Uruma City Board of Education School Superintendent Hiromi Kadekaru announced the decision to designate the Uruma City’s bullfighting as one of the city’s Intangible Folk Cultural Properties.
The bullfighting parties concerned were happy to hear the news.
They were filled with deep emotion since they had hoped for many years that the bullfighting would be designated as a cultural property.
Outside of Okinawa, bullfighting is designated as a cultural property in Uwajima City, Ehime Prefecture and Oki Islands, Shimane Prefecture.
This will be the first time within the Okinawa Prefecture that bullfighting is designated as a cultural property.
Last summer, the Uruma City Bullfighting Association submitted the application for designating bullfighting as one of Uruma City’s Intangible Folk Cultural Properties to the Uruma City Board of Education.
On June 18, the city’s Council for the Protection of Intangible Cultural Properties reported to the board that the bullfighting was evaluated for its historical depth and a culture that represents the locale, which are much appreciated by the citizens.
Uruma City Bullfighting Association Chairman Shuji Ohshiro said, “The bullfighting culture that our ancestors established greatly encourages tourism and the training of young members.”
Okinawa Prefecture Bullfighting Association Chairman Masakazu Kouchi said, “I hope the 18 other Okinawan municipalities with bullfighting associations will designate bullfighting as a cultural property. I’d like to help with that process.”
He thereby hoped that Uruma City’s decision will lead to a prefecture-wide phenomenon.
Uruma City Tourist Association Chief Director Moriyuki Kamimura was also enthusiastic.
He said, “I would like to promote bullfighting as a traditional culture far and wide in and outside of Okinawa via plans like offering reserved bullfighting events.”
Miyagi Island’s hiitachi-ato was also designated a historical landmark.
(English translation by T&CT and Chelsea Ashimine)
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