Viewfinder: Fishing for Ayu in Japan

Pacific Standard Staff
October 10, 2018
Cormorant fishermen use sea cormorants to catch sweetfish on October 9th, 2018, in Gifu, Japan.
Cormorant fishermen use sea cormorants to catch sweetfish on October 9th, 2018 in Gifu, Japan. In this traditional fishing art, 'ukai,' a cormorant master called 'usho' manages the birds to capture ayu, or sweetfish. The ushos of River Nagara have been the official staff of the Imperial Household Agency of Japan since 1890. Currently, six fishermen of the Nagara River conduct special fishing for the Imperial family eight times a year, on top of daily fishing from mid-May to mid-October.

Viewfinder is Pacific Standard’s daily photo feature, showcasing one image from the news.

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