'Ukai' cormorant fishing in Nagara River

Cormorant master, Mr. Masahiko Sugiyama uses sea cormorants to catch sweetfish in Gifu

In this traditional fishing art 'ukai,' a cormorant master called 'usho' manages cormorants 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 imperial fishermen of Nagara River conduct special fishing to contribute to the Imperial family eight times a year, on top of daily fishing from mid-May to mid-October.