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Home , Ayu, Chikugo River, Cormorant fishing, Japanese cormorant

Cultural Property of Miyoshi City 1 10 Secrets of the White The Cormorant (Ukai) of Miyoshi Cormorant fishing (ukai) in Miyoshi has a white cormorant, a rarity in .

Do you have a name? How old are you? Where did you come from? My name is Shiroki (White I’m around 30 years old. 60 My hometown is Ya'an City in Sichuan Sparkle). My name was given years old if I were human. Province, . Ya'an City is a sister city of in the hope that I would shine Perhaps I’m longer-living than Miyoshi City, and four were sent in 1992 Intangible Folk Cultural Property of white and bright. you might have thought. and another four in 1994 as a gesture of Sino-Japanese friendship. Folk Skills Seen in the of Miyoshi

Beak It is very sharp, so it is filed down using a rasp.

What is the difference with other ? The black cormorant is a Japanese (Temminck's) cor- morant which lives in the ocean; I am a cormorant living Neck in the river. Japanese cormo- I am stouter and shorter than rant fishing uses the Japanese the cormorant from the sea, but in which dwells in coastal areas. China they use the Great Cor- morant, a of rivers. Feet Fine webbed feet as you can see. My webbed feet are also How large are you? white. Length 75 cm Wing span (when I spread my wings) is 90 cm; I am a little smaller than a Japanese cormorant The Cormorant Fishing of Miyoshi A Word from Shiroki Cormorant fishing (ukai) is a poetic tradition that symbolizes the summer nights of Miyoshi. Today it is a Cormorant fishing in Miyoshi is a traditional event that has continued for tourist attraction, but as it transmits to posterity the old skills of cormorant fishing and how to make a living I want to meet Shiroki! more than 400 years. It is also designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural from catching fish, it was designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Hiroshima Prefecture in During the cormorant fishing season, we Asset of Hiroshima Prefecture. I’d like you to learn about it and tell others April 2015. This was the first time a folk skill was recognized in Hiroshima Prefecture and it was so can meet at the Ukai boat boarding area. about the existence of such a proud culture in Miyoshi City. designated because it demonstrates the techniques of the ancient Japanese practice of using a cormorant for catching and making a living from fish.

With support from Published date: March 2016 In the cormorant fishing of Miyoshi, after sundown in the darkness, the cormorant master shines a bright Miyuki Kanamitsu, Akinori Kuroda, Tetsuya Hazue, Bungo Hisaka light onto the river, and catches fish by flying birds, namely cormorants, to catch fish. Association for the Promotion of the Traditional Culture of Cormorant Fishing, Edited and issued by: Two people, the cormorant master who flies the cormorant, and the helmsman who Miyoshi City Division for Tourist Exchange Miyoshi City Board of Education (usho) (kajiko) Miyoshi City Tourist Association Tokaichinaka 2-8-1, Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, maneuvers the boat, get on the boat. The river will be illuminated by the light of the carbide lamp attached 728-8501 to the boat’s bow. Provision of Documents and Provision of Photographs TEL: 0824-62-6191 Shoso Ito, Tetsuo Yamawaki, Kamitsuke no Sato Museum, The cormorant fishing of Miyoshi is said to date back more than 400 years. Miyoshi City Municipal Library, Hiroshima Prefectural History and Folklore Museum Printed by : Sanseisha Printing Co., Ltd. In the present day, cormorant fishing is only performed around Tomoebashi Bridge in Mishima City; however, it was done in the past by going out as far as the border with . Miyoshi- A Town with Rivers Running Through It About Cormorant Fishing (Ukai) Shobara Mirasaka Miyoshi is a town in the northern part Flows into the What is Cormorant Fishing (Ukai)? of Hiroshima Prefecture. The Gono- The Saijogawa River To All of Japan The Basengawa River kawa River was one of the reasons Sakugi Cormorant fishing or ukai is a method of catch- A cormorant haniwa why the town of Miyoshi came into Shobara The Sea of Japan Miyoshi Shimane Prefecture ing fish by using a bird called a cormorant or u (terracotta clay figure) being. The River is now used for The Saijo River The Gonokawa River excavated from an The Gonokawa River (The Enokawa River) trained by an or cormorant master. It is said (The Enokawa River) The Toshimagawa River usho drinking water and agriculture, but in The Gonokawa River Miyoshi Mirasaka ancient tomb (The Enokawa River) that the method was practiced in the eastern half of (About 1500 years ago) the old days it also functioned as a The Basengawa River Yoshida Obara Asia and mainly in , but nowadays it is only (Hodota Tumulus, transportation route for people and Yoshida The Gonokawa River Land Route Gunma Prefecture) The Toshimagawa River (The Enokawa River) Land Route practiced in Japan and Southern China. Currently, it [Provided by goods. In the old days, when there is practiced in 11 locations in Japan. Kamitsuke no Sato Museum] Haji Nagata were no automobiles or railways, the Nagata Although it is not known when it started, it seems At present, the cormorants used in Japanese Land Route The Misasa River fastest way to move a large amount of The Misasagawa River Kabe that it has been practiced in Japan for more than cormorant fishing are all cormorants captured in Ibaraki goods was by boat. Therefore, goods Kabe The Otagawa River 1500 years. prefecture. were concentrated near large rivers, The Ota River Hiroshima and a market grew up for the buying Hiroshima Cormorants catch a lot of fish. In cormorant fishing, a leash called a tanawa is hung on the cormorant’s and selling of those goods, and a neck, and fish are not swallowed but accumulated in the throat once caught. In the past, more than 400 fish Transportation by Boat on the Gonokawa River and Miyoshi town developed. could be caught each day. The Gonokawa River is a rare river since it traverses the Cormorant fishing cannot be done unless people (cormorant masters) and the cormorants cooperate. In Chugoku Mountains and flows into the Sea of Japan. From to make the wild-natured cormorant follow orders, the cormorant master tries to build a relationship of trust Gotsu, the mouth of the river, up to Miyoshi, the flow is with his cormorant, talking to it all year around, stroking its body. In the elegant shadow of the cormorant sluggish, allowing boats to sail to and from the sea as far as fishing, the cormorant master carries out such efforts. Miyoshi. Also, as the large river branches off into tributaries There are three types of cormo- Ukai distribution map in Japan  Regions where cormorant fishing was done in the past in four directions at Miyoshi, a boat could travel in any direc- rant fishing, which are 1) cormorant  Regions where cormorant fishing is still performed tion, to the north, east, south, or west. Cormorant Fishing on the fishing from a boat, in which the cormo- Ukiha City and Asakura City, Cormorant Fishing on the Nagaragawa River Miyoshi can be said to be a town which was born from the A map on Transportation by Boat rant master travels by boat and manipu- City, (Part of “Map of the Saijogawa River Transportation”) Cormorant Fishing on the Nishikigawa River Cormorant Fishing on the Nagaragawa River Gonokawa River; in the town, people were occupied in work, Iwakuni City, The path for pulling the boats and climbing up is indicated by Seki City, Gifu Prefecture 2 lates cormorants tied to leashes, 2)  3 such as river transport (the transfer of goods by boat) and a red line [from a private collection] cormorant fishing while walking, in The Gonokawa River system  river fishing (living by catching fish on the river), Cormorant Fishing on the Basengawa River which the cormorant master walks in Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture  which have a strong connection to the river. Cormorant Fishing on the Oigawa River The site where cormorants the river and manipulates the cormo- City, are captured Cormorant fishing is one such occupation. rants tied to leashes, and 3) untethered Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture   cormorant fishing which allows the          cormorants, unconstrained by leashes,                 Cormorant Fishing to move about freely. In Japan, all three     on the Fuefukigawa River kinds were practiced in the past, but  Fuefuki City,            Cormorant Fishing on the Kisogawa River now there is nowhere where untethered     Inuyama City, and Kakamigahara City, cormorant fishing is practiced. Gifu Prefecture Cormorant Fishing on the Ujigawa River City, Kyoto Prefecture Cormorant Fishing on the Aridagawa River Arida City, (Suspended) Cormorant Fishing on the Hijikawa River Ozu City, A flatboat going upstream off Cormorant Fishing on the Mikumagawa River Shimoarase in Awaya-machi, Miyoshi City (1920s) [from a private collection] Hita City, Oita Prefecture Data supplied by Hiroshima Prefectural Historical Folklore Museum (ed.), , Gonokawa River Equipment (2005). River fishing Fishing with a in the Gonokawa River

Stake net fishing (tataki fishing) (All 3) [Provided by Hiroshima Prefectural History and Folklore Museum] A cormorant master interacting with a cormorant [Miyoshi City Tourist Association] Compare and find the differences This costume has been developed over the long course of history. In the cormorant Method of Tethering Cormorants fishing of Miyoshi, it is characteristic that the The cormorants are tethered as shown in cormorant master wraps a koshimino (straw The helmsman (kajiko) operates the picture using the harness or tasuki. In skirt for the lower body) around himself from the boat. He plays a very impor- the cormorant fishing of Miyoshi, the the front so that the there is a single fold over tightening around the cormorant’s neck is the stomach allowing greater mobility. tant role as he needs to know the state of the river as well as to not applied directly but rather by use of this The cormorant master manages eight cormorants. Standing on an harness. Its distinct feature is that it is synchronize with the cormorant Headwear unstable boat at night, he watches over the cormorants and works devised to allow the degree of tightness master. (eboshi) ⑦ the leashes (tanawas), reeling in the cormorants and making them around the neck to be easily adjusted so This is made of black regurgitate the caught fish, which necessarily requires concentration, that the cormorant does not tire out too cotton. In the cormo- rant fishing of Miyo- skill, and physical capabilities. soon. shi, crown-shaped headwear is worn by ①A large ring cormorant masters. or haragake is passed under the wings of the ②A small ring or Tsutsusode ② cormorant and kubiwa is placed This is a tight-sleeved is placed over around the neck. black kimono made the stomach of of cotton. the cormorant.

Koshimino This is made of straw. It is perfect for cormorant fishing because it ④ Cormorants always swallow does not get wet ⑧ from water and fish head first. does not get musty from humidity. ⑥ ⑨ ⑤ Cormorant masters are ③The tightness of the barefoot on the boat. ring can be increased or decreased with the The clothes of a cormorant master ① tube at the back and (present-day) fixed with a pin ⑩

4 5

⑪

Cormorants catch any river During the night, many fish rest in the shade of rocks in the fish, not just sweetfish. Some- river. Cormorants will catch the fish which are frozen in surprise times they catch fish too large The clothes of a cormorant master by a sudden strong light or move to escape from it. (around 130 years ago) to swallow. A tethered cormorant (about 100 years ago)

The Tools Used in Cormorant Fishing ①Ubune (Boat for Cormorant Fishing) This is a long and narrow boat like a Japanese toy bamboo leaf boat, with a strong Changes in Cormorant Fishing in Miyoshi curvature. Its shape has been devised to allow speed and mobility. ②Carbide (Lighting) This is a light used in cormorant fishing. Season for Number of Persons Number of Acetylene gas produced by the gas generator is burned and it Period Cormorant Fishing Method Number of Boats on Boat Cormorants Lighting casts a bright light over the river. ③Mizutaiko For adjusting the pressure of the acetylene gas Before the Edo Period Unknown While Walking? — 1 Pine Torch? ④Gas Generator Carbide and water are put in to generate (More than 400 years ago) acetylene gas. Spring-Autumn From Boat? Unknown Many? Unknown Pine Torch? ⑤Hakekago (regurgitating basket) This is a basket into which the cormorant regurgitates the caught fish. Edo Period Boat(While Walking April-Autumn Unknown 3 2 3 Pine Torch? ② ⑥Cormorant basket This is used when carrying cormorants (Between about 200 and 400 years ago) or Untethered) ～ ⑥ from cormorant hutches to the boat. It is divided into two so that the cormorants will not fight with each other; up to two cormorants Meiji Period Boat(While Walking Torch from June-Autumn Unknown 3 3 4 4 7 can be put together, totaling four in one basket. (About 150 years ago) or Untethered) ・ → ～ Stem of Hemp ⑦Pole Mainly used when going up the river or when manipulating a boat through rapids. Taisho Period June-End of Boat(While Walking 9 (Max.) 2 4 8 Carbide Lamp ④ ⑧Oar When fishing or moving through a deep pool, this will be (About 100 years ago) September or Untethered) ～ ③ used to manipulate the boat. ⑨Akatori This is used to bail out the water accumulated in the The Present Day June-September Boat 3 2 6 Carbide Lamp ⑩ ⑪ boat. ⑤ ⑩Tanawa A leash that is tied to cormorants. [Provided by Hiroshima Prefectural History and Folklore Musem] ⑪Tasuki (harness) A harness on the bodies of cormorants. This is what Learn more The Characteristics of Cormorant Fishing in Miyoshi we can take pride in A Note on about cormorants!! Characteristics of the Body The leashes that are tied to the cormorant (called tanawa in the cormorant fishing of Miyoshi) Cormorants of a Cormorant are the longest in Japan. Eye The instantaneous membrane The cormorant fishing (ukai) of Miyoshi uses the longest Four of cormorant dwell in Japan; the of the eye (membrane between leash or tanawa in Japan at about 7m. The longer the Japanese (Temminck's) cormorant, the great Beak the eyelids and the eyes) is leash is, the further the cormorant can go and the more cormorant, the , and the Its tip is bent like a transparent, which gives them fish it is possible to catch. However, since the leash hook and prevents the good vision underwater. red-faced cormorant. fish from getting away. becomes easily tangled, the cormorant master needs to They can stay submerged for over two minutes. Feathers be highly-skilled. They can move about at around 5 km/h They do not repel water Carbide lamps are used (equivalent to a fast walking pace in humans) in the water. Throat like swans and ducks, It can swallow a lot of fish making it easy to sink. The brighter the light is during cormorant fishing, the more They eat fish! up to 30 cm in length are (5 large sweetfish!!). fish the cormorant can catch. In cormorant fishing swallowed whole with the bones being dissolved. Surprisingly, they are Feet related to pelicans. elsewhere, torches are used for lighting, but in Miyoshi the They fly at around 50km/h! They usually dwell As they have large webbed use of brighter lighting has been devised. In the past hemp in and around Japan, but go north in spring, lay feet, they can swim faster in the water. stems which are brighter than regular torches made using eggs and raise offspring around , then go pine were used, but now carbide lamps are used for lighting. south in the autumn and overwinter in Kyushu. Wild cormorants live up to 7-8 years, whereas Cormorant fishing in the late 1920s The cormorant has a body which allows it to swim proficiently and catch a lot of fish. There are many ways to maneuver the cormorants used in cormorant fishing live for the boat for cormorant fishing. about 20 years. In cormorant fishing elsewhere, there are only one or two The Sea of Japan

ways to maneuver the boats, but there are five ways in The Kannose River Autumn The sweetfish swims The Gonokawa The fish captured Miyoshi. They were conceived in order to capture more River About The Life of down the river to lay eggs. It by the cormorant will direct its head upstream fish while adjusting to the river conditions. Sweetfish a Sweetfish Approximately 30km is the sweetfish. while moving downstream. The sweetfish is called the queen of the river in Japan; it is After laying about 50,000 eggs The Saijogawa River in clean gravel, most sweetfish People went far away for cormorant fishing. Miyoshi delicious and has a very nice scent; therefore it is very die. The eggs hatch when The amount of fish that can be taken decreases the more popular. It is a rare fish that eats moss growing on pebbles Summer The sweetfish about 1 mm in diameter one to 6 The Basengawa River mainly eats moss. two weeks later, and the 7 fishing is done at the same place. In the cormorant fishing in the river. It will compete with other offspring head off to the sea. of Miyoshi, they went far away to avoid overfishing. In the sweetfish over a pebble with a good growth of moss on it. past, fishermen went as far as to the border with Shimane The Enokawa River An adult Prefecture about 30 km away from Miyoshi. sweetfish Autumn Places at which cormorant fishing was practiced is grazing on Spring They form shoals and in Miyoshi (marked in yellow) moss here. swim up the river while feeding on Summer zooplankton and small . Using a long, narrow boat. Cormorant fishing boats used in cormorant fishing in Miyoshi are light (fast), and narrow so that they can travel far away, and Spring they have a shallow draft. Such boats can be unstable and are difficult to maneuver, but cormorant masters in Miyoshi have polished their skills, and stand alone on their own feet without leaning or sitting on the boat while performing cormorant Winter fishing. Signs that a sweetfish has been Approximately 9m grazing on the moss on this Winter They eat zooplankton pebble from the river (bite marks) in the ocean in the area around the estuary and grow. Sweetfish caught in cormorant fishing and sweetfish cuisine Sweetfish caught by cormorants are said to be tasty because blood is A diagram comparing the boats used in cormorant Areas in which cormorant masters fishing in Miyoshi and on the Nagaragawa River drawn out when the fish is held by the cormorant in its beak and then in Miyoshi are able to move about (In color: boat used in Miyoshi; instantaneously strangled in its throat. Sweetfish has been prepared in Areas in which cormorant masters in black and white: boat used on the Nagaragawa River) various ways and has become familiar to many people through the on the Nagaragawa River are able to move about specialty dishes in Miyoshi. "-zushi", which uses okara (the residue left behind when making bean curd) instead of rice, is unique to Miyoshi. A sweetfish caught by a cormorant Inside the ◯ , a bite mark can be seen where it was held by a cormorant. There were a lot of people who Cormorant fishing in Miyoshi will be performed cormorant fishing. passed on to future generations! There were 9 cormorant fishing boats about 100 years Currently, there are three cormorant masters in Miyoshi. ago when the cormorant fishing of Miyoshi was most The main characteristic of cormorant fishing in Miyoshi is vibrant. It is believed that it had the largest number of that it strongly maintains the tradition of cormorant fishing cormorant fishing boats in Japan. That proves that the as a way of life based on catching fish. Gonokawa River was a teeming river. Sweetfish Sushi Salt-grilled Segoshi Sugatazukuri, or a whole sweetfish (whole fish sashimi in round slices) as sashimi arranged in the original shape [Provided by Hiroshima Prefectural History and Folklore Museum]