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has played a vital role in the history of the city of Gifu, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. Throughout its long history, it evolved from a means to live, to a profitable industry, to a major tourist draw. It runs from May 11 to October 15 of each year (except when the river level is high and during the harvest moon).〔 ==History== Cormorant fishing on the Nagara River is a 1,300-year-old tradition〔''Cormorant Fishing on the Nagara River''. Gifu City Cormorant Fishing Viewing Boat Office, 2007.〕 where fishing masters (鵜匠 ''ushō'') use Japanese cormorants〔(Cormorant Fishing Explanation ). Gifu Rotary Club. Accessed January 31, 2008.〕 to catch fish, primarily ''ayu'' (sweetfish). Because of the great skills of the fishing masters, they have received the official title of “Cormorant Fishermen of the Imperial Household Agency,” a hereditary title that is passed on from father to son. It takes ten years even at least to become a cormorant fishing master. The use of cormorants for fishing on the Nagara River began over 1,300 years ago, originating as a way for people to feed their families. When cormorant fishing came under the auspices of the Imperial Household Agency, the first fish caught each year were sent to the capital. Because cormorant fishing is part of the Imperial Household, the Nagara River has become a protected river, which keeps it clean and healthy, allowing cormorant fishing to continue through the ages. The birds have become such a part of Japanese lore, that they have given rise to the expression ''unomi'' (鵜呑み), which means to “swallow whole like a cormorant” or “accept without questions,” because they can swallow fish whole without choking on the scales.〔(The video clip to Introduce ''Gifu Nagaragawa no Ukai'' ), (The life of ''Ukai'' in old times ), Accessed May 24, 2015.〕 As the techniques improved and enough fish were caught, it turned into an industry. The fish were processed in nearby factories, allowing the fish to be sold over great distances. Eventually, the number of fish caught by cormorants began to decrease. The advent of other fishing methods and modern transportation decreased the need for large-scale cormorant fishing. In spite of the industry’s decline, cormorant fishing still continues in the city of Gifu today and serves as an important part of the city’s tourism sector, drawing people from around Japan and around the world. The first sweetfish of the season are still sent to the capital today and Royal Viewings for members of the Imperial Household are held eight times per year, though viewing is open to the general public on those days as well. Throughout the years, many famous individuals have come to view cormorant fishing on the Nagara River, including such world-renowned individuals as Charlie Chaplin and Matsuo Bashō. Chaplin came to view cormorant fishing twice〔(Cormorant Fishing on the Nagara River ), Gifu City Hall. Accessed June 8, 2007.〕 and remarked that he was quite moved by the event and that the skills of the fishing masters were “wonderful.” Bashō was so enamored with the activity that he wrote two haikus about it:〔 ''Gifu City Walking Map''. Gifu Lively City Public Corporation, 2007.〕 : *”Exciting to see / but soon after, comes sadness / the cormorant boats.” (おもしろうてやがて悲しき鵜舟哉。) : *”Once more to describe / the Nagara River’s own / sweetfish ''namasu''.” (又たぐひながらの川の鮎なます。) (''Namasu'' is a pickled delicacy made from sweetfish.) 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Cormorant fishing on the Nagara River」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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