Japan one of the three major Cormorant fishing (ukai), Ozu Ukai.

Along with the Nagara River in Gifu Prefecture and the Mikuma River in Oita Prefecture, Ozu Ukai is counted among the three major Cormorant fishing (ukai) of Japan. Cormorant fishing (ukai) The history of fishing methods is long, and there are descriptions in the Kojiki and Japan Shoki. Some of the artifacts excavated from the Kofun period are reminiscent of Cormorant fishing (ukai), and the history of Cormorant fishing (ukai) in Japan is said to be 1,300 years. Today, the Cormorant fishing (ukai) we see is mainly for tourism Cormorant fishing (ukai), but it must have been a familiar custom for people who lived with rivers since ancient times.

Cormorants swallow fish whole, so they are not injured, and the ability to catch good fatty fish was considered to be the strength of the Cormorant fishing (ukai) fishing method. For this reason, Ayu caught in Cormorant fishing (ukai) has long been treated as a tribute to emperors, nobles, and daimyos. It is believed that the fact that cormorants were birds that were easy to get close to people also contributed to their fishing methods. Occasionally, you may see cormorants near the water, but they are river cormorants that live in the wild, and all the cormorants that appear in Cormorant fishing (ukai) are species called sea cormorants. Cormorant fishing (ukai) cormorants live in a bird house on a daily basis.

“Awashui” originated from Ozu

The method of ``aisu-kai,'' which is rare even in Japan, and involves a cormorant fishing boat with a bonfire and a passenger boat sailing down the river side by side, was born here in Ozu. You can see up close the sight of cormorants catching fish while spraying water. The cormorant fisherman wears an eboshi (eboshi) and a haunches, and his skillful handling of the ropes is so spectacular that it takes your breath away.

Most Cormorant fishing (ukai) sightseeing is done from houseboats lined up near the riverbank, with a number of cormorant boats passing in the middle of the river. However, the river in Ozu and Hiji River was too narrow to allow several cormorants to run side by side. Therefore, the boatmen and cormorants of the time, who were troubled by their brains, devised this matching kai. Both cormorants and houseboats are made a little smaller for this match. There are currently 15 houseboats. It is a wisdom born of the width of the Hiji River river, which is not advantageous to the Cormorant fishing (ukai).

The real thrill of matching fish.

In the combined fishing, cormorant boats and houseboats run very close together. Visitors can't help but lean over the side of the boat as they feel as if they can reach the cormorants with their hands. This "closeness" is the real thrill, but it also requires extremely delicate techniques and "dialogue" from the cormorant fisherman who handles the cormorants, the boatmen of the cormorant boats and houseboats, and even the cormorants themselves. The well-thought-out dialogue between the boatman, the cormorant fishermen, and the cormorants creates the breath of Aun and makes this combination of fishing possible.

The flow of the river looked calm and fast, and it was nighttime. Furthermore, as its name suggests, Hiji River bends "like a curved elbow." The boat is moved entirely by hand to prevent the sweetfish from escaping. Without the experience of a boatman who knows everything about Hiji River, navigating without contact or too far apart, too fast or too slow is an extremely difficult task. In addition, cormorant fishermen are required to be extremely skilled at handling their ropes in order to convey the sight of the fish equally to the spectators on the houseboats lined up on either side.

The cormorant, which plays the leading role, must be able to move freely forward, backward, left and right in time with the cormorant fisherman's breathing. Five cormorants go out on a single fishing trip, but if these five cormorants don't get along well, they won't be able to move smoothly on the water. On a daily basis, cormorant fishermen get to know each cormorant's personality and find out their compatibility with each other, so they consider the cormorants to be their companions and never neglect to talk to them. When I visit the cormorants on vacation, there is always a cormorant fisher by my side, caring for them and calling them by their names.

The real thrill of ``proximity'' is not just being close to the cormorants. We hope you will enjoy the closeness of the cormorant fishermen and boatmen who are right next to you. The boatmen and cormorant fishermen have long been familiar with this area and are skilled at providing hospitality to visitors. We hope you will enjoy the “dialogue” that you can experience from a matching boat.

Enjoy the short night of Suigo Ozu while enjoying a delicious cruise on a boat.

Gaze Ozu Castle and Garyu Sanso (villa) floating in the moonlight. On the houseboat, you can enjoy the cool breeze and sample a variety of local dishes and drinks. Ukai is a summer tradition in Ozu. Why not experience summer in Suigo Ozu with all your five senses? It's not uncommon for people to visit several times a year and say they enjoyed it. Once you know this, you will surely be able to feel the breath of the land of Ozu.