Bird Fishermen of Japan

A cormorant master uses sea cormorants to catch sweetfish on July 2, 2014 in Gifu, Japan. 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. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Cormorant master, Mr. Masahiko Sugiyama feeds some of his sea cormorants that were not choosen for the nights “Ukai” on July 2, 2014 in Gifu, Japan. 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. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Cormorant master, Mr. Masahiko Sugiyama feeds some of his sea cormorants that were not choosen for the nights “Ukai” on July 2, 2014 in Gifu, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Cormorant master, Mr. Masahiko Sugiyama chooses his cormorants for the nights “Ukai” on July 2, 2014 in Gifu, Japan. 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. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Cormorant master, Mr. Masahiko Sugiyama chooses his cormorants for the nights “Ukai” on July 2, 2014 in Gifu, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

A cormorant master prepares his sea cormorants for the nights "Ukai" on July 2, 2014 in Gifu, Japan. 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. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

A cormorant master prepares his sea cormorants for the nights "Ukai" on July 2, 2014 in Gifu, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

A boatman carries baskets of sea cormorants to a fishing boat ahead of the nights “Ukai” on July 2, 2014 in Gifu, Japan. 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. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

A boatman carries baskets of sea cormorants to a fishing boat ahead of the nights “Ukai” on July 2, 2014 in Gifu, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

A boatman holds onto sea cormorants with the hand strings as he prepares the birds for the nights “Ukai” on July 2, 2014 in Gifu, Japan. 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. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

A boatman holds onto sea cormorants with the hand strings as he prepares the birds for the nights “Ukai” on July 2, 2014 in Gifu, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Boatmen prepare wood to burn in the fishing boat torches ahead of the nights “Ukai” Cormorant master, Mr. Masahiko Sugiyama uses sea cormorants to catch sweetfish on July 2, 2014 in Gifu, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Sweetfish caught by sea cormorants are seen with the birds beak marks on their flesh after the nights “Ukai” on July 2, 2014 in Gifu, Japan. 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. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Sweetfish caught by sea cormorants are seen with the birds beak marks on their flesh after the nights “Ukai” on July 2, 2014 in Gifu, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Cormorant masters and boatmen prepare sea cormorants for the nights “Ukai” on July 2, 2014 in Gifu, Japan. 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. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Cormorant masters and boatmen prepare sea cormorants for the nights “Ukai” on July 2, 2014 in Gifu, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Cormorant master, Mr. Masahiko Sugiyama checks the condition of one of his sea cormorants ahead of the nights “Ukai” on July 2, 2014 in Gifu, Japan. 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. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Cormorant master, Mr. Masahiko Sugiyama checks the condition of one of his sea cormorants ahead of the nights “Ukai” on July 2, 2014 in Gifu, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Cormorant master, Mr. Masahiko Sugiyama (L) uses sea cormorants to catch sweetfish on July 2, 2014 in Gifu, Japan. 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. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Cormorant master, Mr. Masahiko Sugiyama (L) uses sea cormorants to catch sweetfish on July 2, 2014 in Gifu, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Sea cormorants are seen in an enclosure used by Cormorant master, Mr. Masahiko Sugiyama on July 2, 2014 in Gifu, Japan. 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. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Sea cormorants are seen in an enclosure used by Cormorant master, Mr. Masahiko Sugiyama on July 2, 2014 in Gifu, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Cormorant master, Mr. Masahiko Sugiyama checks the condition of one of his sea cormorants prior to the start of the nights “Ukai” on July 2, 2014 in Gifu, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Cormorant master, Mr. Masahiko Sugiyama carries a basket of sea cormorants to his fishing boat ahead of the nights “Ukai” on July 2, 2014 in Gifu, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Cormorant master, Mr. Masahiko Sugiyama pulls one of his sea cormorants onto the boat after it caught a fish on July 2, 2014 in Gifu, Japan. 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. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Cormorant master, Mr. Masahiko Sugiyama pulls one of his sea cormorants onto the boat after it caught a fish on July 2, 2014 in Gifu, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Cormorant masters and boatmen prepare for the nights “Ukai” on July 2, 2014 in Gifu, Japan. 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. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Cormorant masters and boatmen prepare for the nights “Ukai” on July 2, 2014 in Gifu, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

A boatman relaxes quietly at the “Mawashiba” (preparation area) prior to the start of the nights “Ukai” on July 2, 2014 in Gifu, Japan. 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. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

A boatman relaxes quietly at the “Mawashiba” (preparation area) prior to the start of the nights “Ukai” on July 2, 2014 in Gifu, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Cormorant master, Mr. Masahiko Sugiyama chooses his cormorants for the nights “Ukai” on July 2, 2014 in Gifu, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

A sea cormorant is seen in a basket on July 2, 2014 in Gifu, Japan. 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. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

A sea cormorant is seen in a basket on July 2, 2014 in Gifu, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Sea cormorants are seen illuminated by fire as they work to catch sweetfish on July 2, 2014 in Gifu, Japan. 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. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Sea cormorants are seen illuminated by fire as they work to catch sweetfish on July 2, 2014 in Gifu, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Cormorant master, Mr. Masahiko Sugiyama places his sea cormorants in baskets to be transported to the fishing boat on July 2, 2014 in Gifu, Japan. 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. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Cormorant master, Mr. Masahiko Sugiyama places his sea cormorants in baskets to be transported to the fishing boat on July 2, 2014 in Gifu, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

A boatman loads baskets of sea cormorants onto a fishing boat in preparation for the nights “Ukai” on July 2, 2014 in Gifu, Japan. 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. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

A boatman loads baskets of sea cormorants onto a fishing boat in preparation for the nights “Ukai” on July 2, 2014 in Gifu, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Cormorant master, Mr. Masahiko Sugiyama puts on his traditional Kazori-Eboshi (hat) around a bonfire prior to the start of the nights Ukai on July 2, 2014 in Gifu, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

04 Jul 2014 09:41:00, post received 0 comments