Cormorant Fishing on the Nagara River

Cormorant fishing on the Nagara River (ぎふ長良川の鵜飼, Gifu Nagaragawa no Ukai^?) has played a vital role in the history of the city of Gifu, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. Throughout its long history, it evolved from a means to live, to a profitable industry, to a major tourist draw. It runs from May 11 to October 15 of each year (except when the river level is high and during the harvest moon).

Cormorant fishing on the Nagara River is a 1,300-year-old tradition where fishing masters (鵜匠 ushō) use Japanese cormorants to catch fish, primarily ayu (sweetfish). Because of the great skills of the fishing masters, they have received the official title of “Cormorant Fishermen of the Imperial Household Agency,” a hereditary title that is passed on from father to son. It takes ten years even at least to become a cormorant fishing master.

The use of cormorants for fishing on the Nagara River began over 1,300 years ago, originating as a way for people to feed their families. When cormorant fishing came under the auspices of the Imperial Household Agency, the first fish caught each year were sent to the capital. Because cormorant fishing is part of the Imperial Household, the Nagara River has become a protected river, which keeps it clean and healthy, allowing cormorant fishing to continue through the ages. The birds have become such a part of Japanese lore, that they have given rise to the expression unomi (鵜呑み), which means to “swallow whole like a cormorant” or “accept without questions,” because they can swallow fish whole without choking on the scales.

As the techniques improved and enough fish were caught, it turned into an industry. The fish were processed in nearby factories, allowing the fish to be sold over great distances. Eventually, the number of fish caught by cormorants began to decrease. The advent of other fishing methods and modern transportation decreased the need for large-scale cormorant fishing.

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Wikipedia