Viewfinder: Fishing for Ayu in Japan - Pacific Standard

Viewfinder: Fishing for Ayu in Japan

Author:: Pacific Standard Staff
Publish date:: Oct 10, 2018

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. — 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 the Nagara River have been the official staff of the Imperial Household Agency of Japan since 1890. Currently, six fishermen of the Nagara River fish for the Imperial family eight times a year, on top of daily fishing from mid-May to mid-October.
(Photo: Carl Court/Getty Images)

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

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Demonstrators take part in a march against President Daniel Ortega's government in Managua, Nicaraguan, on September 9th, 2018.

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Policemen block an exit in Cologne's main railway station, where a man took a hostage in the early afternoon on October 15th, 2018, at Cologne Central Station in Cologne, Germany. Police sealed off the premises, evacuated the station, and canceled trains. Local media say the incident does not appear to have been terror-related. The woman taken hostage was freed with only minor injuries.

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