1/15Acknowledged as an Important Intangible Cultural Property, Gifu Cormorant Fishing stands as a cornerstone of Japan’s cultural tapestry. Picture: Nicholas Eagar
Japan’s ancient art of cormorant fishing
Photographer Nicholas Eagar documents Gifu’s Ukai, a 1,300 year old tradition of cormorant fishing on the waters of the Nagara river in Japan, where cormorant birds are trained to catch fish from boats with hanging bonfires in the dark of night ...
2/15The shimmering torchlight adds enchantment to the ancient ritual, casting ethereal reflections on the Nagara’s waters. Picture: Nicholas Eagar
3/15Each avian companion wears a delicate collar, ensuring the retrieval of fish without ingesting larger prey. Picture: Nicholas Eagar
4/15Gifu Cormorant Fishing, a tradition spanning 1,300 years, graces the Nagara River, embodying Japan’s ancient heritage. Picture: Nicholas Eagar
5/15Skilled “usho” fishermen guide cormorant birds, adeptly capturing sweetfish, or “ayu,” in a harmonious dance of nature. Picture: Nicholas Eagar
6/15Echoes of this practice resonate across continents, tracing its roots to ancient customs found in Asia and Europe. Picture: Nicholas Eagar
7/15Trained Japanese cormorants, honed from youth, execute precise dives, deftly securing fish without consumption. Picture: Nicholas Eagar
8/15Beyond cultural significance, this tradition fuels local economies, drawing tourism and nurturing peripheral industries like hospitality. Picture: Nicholas Eagar
9/15Under the cloak of night, torch-bearing fishermen orchestrate a captivating spectacle, casting their light upon the river’s surface. Picture: Nicholas Eagar
10/15Stringent regulations safeguard the wellbeing of cormorants and the ecological balance of the fish population. Picture: Nicholas Eagar
11/15Beyond a mere fishing method, Gifu Cormorant Fishing is a cultural performance, captivating visitors worldwide. Picture: Nicholas Eagar
12/15Annually celebrated through the Nagara River Ukai Cormorant Fishing Festival, marked by majestic boat parades and vibrant fireworks. Picture: Nicholas Eagar
13/15Heirs to tradition, cormorant fishermen inherit ancestral knowledge, preserving familial legacies through generations. Picture: Nicholas Eagar
14/15Founded on mutual trust, the bond between fishermen and cormorants flourishes through years of shared experience and mutual understanding. Picture: Nicholas Eagar
15/15As an eco-conscious method, Gifu Cormorant Fishing avoids ecological harm, offering a sustainable alternative to modern techniques. Picture: Nicholas Eagar
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