Goryo Ukai (Imperial Cormorant Fishing)

Photo Description
(Photo: Gifu City)
(Photo: Gifu City)
(Photo: Gifu City)
(Photo: Gifu City)
(Photo: Gifu City)
(Photo: Gifu City)

In the Furutsu district along the River Nagara in Gifu Prefecture, there are current six fishermen who conduct Goryo Ukai (Imperial Cormorant Fishing) eight times each year. Every year, during the summer on two occasions when Goryo Ukai takes place, foreign ambassadors and their spouses resided in Japan are invited to attend and are introduced to this traditional culture of Japan.

History of Goryo Ukai (Imperial Cormorant Fishing)

Every year from mid-May to mid-October on the River Nagara in Gifu Prefecture, a 1300-year tradition of cormorant fishing is conducted that has been passed down through the ages and preserved by the Imperial Family as Goryo Ukai (Imperial Cormorant Fishing).

The Imperial Family has a long history of association with cormorant fishing and records dating back to the Ritsuryo period indicate that fishermen were employed as servants of the throne outside the palace compound to engage in fishing. Subsequently each area where cormorant fishing was practiced came under the protection of the Daimyo (feudal lord), and the cormorant fishing on the river Nagara was protected and preserved by the noble house of Tokugawa Owari.

However, the protection of the feudal lords came to an end with the Meiji Restoration and the ancient practice of cormorant fishing came in danger of extinction.

Under such circumstances, in 1890, based upon the request from the then Governor of Gifu Prefecture, the Imperial Household Ministry appointed a number of Imperial cormorant fishermen and established three fishing sites on the River Nagara for Goryo Ukai, which resulted in the continuation of this ancient fishing art.