Spider 'Sumo' Fighting in Kumamoto and Kainan.
Oct. 12,2009. M.Sekine
Do you know spider 'sumo' fighting? In Japan, many years ago,
Japanese children enjoyed spider 'sumo' fighting. However, the destruction
of nature took it away from Japanese children. Volunteers are now trying
to succeed the traditional of Spider Sumo or 'Kumo Gassen
', as it called in Japan, and preserving it as an important cultural heritage.
The most famous Kumo Gassen is the one held in June each year
in Kajiki town in Kagoshima prefecture. The local people say that the Kumo
Gassen started more than 400 years ago in Kajiki.
Two other spider sumo fighting competitions were held in July
2009 in Kumamoto and Kainan. This is a report on the 13th annual spider
sumo fighting competition in Kumamoto City, Kyushu Island and the
10th annual spider sumo fighting competition in Kainan City, Wakayama
prefecture, Honshu Island. These two games closely resemble each other in
several ways.
The Spider Sumo competitions in Kumamoto and Kainan are both
modeled after that used in Kajiki. Of course, each of the fighting arachnids
is 'Kogane-spider',or Argiope amoena.
The 13th annual spider sumo fighting competition was held in Kumamto
in Jul.19, 2009.
The 10th annual spider sumo fighting competition was held in Kainan in Jul.12. 2009, with the attendance of three guests from Kajiki. The banner reads that "The traditional cultural heritage of 'Satoyama'".
If you would like more information on Satoyama, Click here.