Cormorant
Cormorants are water birds which have been used for fishing since ancient times because of their habit of catching fish in the water.
A cormorant is a generic name for birds of the order Suliformes, family Phalacrocoracidae. A water bird found in flocks by the sea and rivers, the cormorant has black wings and a long, sharp beak. They have the habit of diving into the water to catch fish and then swallowing them whole after coming up to the surface. There are about 30 species of cormorants in the world, and in Japan, the Japanese (Sea) Cormorant, Great
Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, and Red-faced Cormorant, can be seen. Because of their habit of catching fish in the water, tame cormorants are used to catch ayu (sweetfish) and other fish. This technology is called "Ukai" (cormorant fishing) and is used in Japan and China.
The history of Ukai in Japan is long, and waterbird-shaped haniwa (clay figures) thought to represent cormorant fishing have been excavated from ancient tombs in Gunma and Osaka Prefectures (estimated to be built in the 5th century). According to bibliographies, descriptions about cormorant fishing can be found in the article of Wakoku (Japan) in a Chinese history book called "Zuisho" compiled in the 7th century. In addition, the name "Ukaibe no Mezurame" can be found in the family register of Mino Province, in the 2nd year of the Taiho Period (702) in Shosoin Treasure House. In addition, the term "Ukai" can be found in the "Shikiin Code" of the "Ryo no gige" (a book that shows the official interpretation of the "Yoro Code"), which was enacted in 833, in the section of the "Kunaisho (the Ministry of the Imperial Household) Daizenshikizatsukuko".
After the transfer of the capital to Kyoto in the Heian period, cormorant fishing by the Ministry of the Imperial Household continued, and fresh fish caught in the Uji and Katsura Rivers around Kyoto were presented to the emperor. Later, in the samurai society, the feudal lords established the "usho system," under which specific cormorant-fishers were given the name of "usho" (cormorant fishing master) and the privilege of using the river to deliver ayu fish. In this way, cormorant fishing in Japan has been closely linked to the imperial court, feudal lords, and other powers. On the other hand, private cormorant fishing has also been engaged in various places, and it is analogized that there were more than 100 such places in Japan.
In modern days, cormorant fishing using Japanese Cormorants is performed for ornamental purposes on the Nagara River in Gifu Prefecture, the Uji River in Kyoto Prefecture, and the Kiso River in Aichi Prefecture, among other rivers, and Imperial cormorant fishing is conducted by Imperial Usho on the Nagara River. Cormorants and cormorant fishing have long been the subject of Japanese literature, appearing in such works as Kojiki (The Records of Ancient Matters), Nihonshoki (The Chronicles of Japan), Manyoshu (The Anthology of Myriad Leaves), and Genji Monogatari (The Tale of Genji).
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岐阜市を代表する伝統文化「長良川の鵜飼」を分かりやすく紹介、情報発信する施設。鵜飼漁で使われる用具などの実物資料や漁や暮らしの様子が分かる映像・写真資料などを展示。
Established in 1877, the National Museum of Nature and Science (Kahaku) is one of the oldest museums in Japan. It is also the only national museum in the country that offers a comprehensive exhibition of natural history and the history of science and technology. It collects and preserves a variety of collections, such as natural history specimens, historical objects, and scientific and technical documents, and so on.
三重県の公立博物館。自然科学系の展示が充実しており、カワウの剥製も所蔵する。
日本に生息する野鳥の写真と解説を種類別で掲載。ヒメウ、カワウ、ウミウなどを紹介。
岐阜市歴史博物館の所蔵する、絵画や工芸品をはじめとした鵜飼の資料を掲載。
References
- 可児弘明 著,中央公論社
- 「鵜」の項
- 「鵜」の項
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