Ukai (鵜飼), the cormorant fishing at the Nagara River (長良川) in Gifu (岐阜) opens on May 11 every year. Ukai (鵜飼) is the traditional fishing way to catch ayu (鮎) using the trained u (鵜), cormorant. It has about 1300 years history.
The fishermen train the cormorants of younger than 2 years old and keep them for 15 to 20 years. To control the birds, the fishermen tie a snare near the base of the bird's throat to prevent the birds from swallowing larger fish, which are held in their throat. Fishermen put the bonfire at the bow of the boat, and ayu are attracted to the light. When a cormorant caught a fish in its throat, the fisherman brings the bird back to the boat and has the bird spit the fish. They catch about 40 ayu or carps in a day.
In Japan there 13 cities where the cormorant fishing are taken places. The most famous location is Gifu on the Nagara River. It will last every night from May 11 to October 15 except the full moon nights.
No comments:
Post a Comment