An annual New Year's bullfight tournament took place on Okino-shima island in the Sea of Japan on Monday, with one-ton bulls battling against each another instead of a matador.
Bullfighting in Japan is believed to date back to the 13th century, when bouts were held to amuse the ex-emperor Gotoba, who had been deported to Okino-shima in Shimane prefecture by the then Samurai authorities.
In Japanese bullfighting, a pair of bulls clash by locking horns and pushing until one of them turns tail and runs.
16 bulls from 3 to 8 years old participated in the island's New Year tournament, for a total of 8 matches.
To get the New Year off to a harmonious start, a special rule shortening the amount of fighting time was employed to prevent any contestant from suffering a loss.
But some of the bulls were too excited to stop fighting even after a draw was declared, and had to be pulled apart by their reins.
About 300 tourists and local spectators watched the bullfights.
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