Rapidly Disappearing Exotic Fishing Method Appears on New Japanese Coin
Birds who catch fish and then disgorge them were first used by Japanese fisherman about 1,300 years ago. Today this exotic fishing technique survives thanks to tourists.
- (1888PressRelease) August 07, 2010 - Even though Gifu is located almost in the center of Japan and is one of only eight prefectures with no access to the sea, a fishing scene is featured on the colorful Gifu commemorative issued as part of Japan's popular 47-coin Prefecture Series.
Cormorant fishing, called ukai, is a traditional method of river fishing that has been practiced in Japan for about 1,300 years, but is now preserved mainly for tourists. Fishermen use cormorant birds on leashes to catch sweetfish (such as the Ayu). The ukai scene on the new coin takes place on the Nagara River, and looks much as it did when portrayed by the great Japanese artist Hiroshige (1797-1858).
Ukai fishing is done from small flat bottomed boats called Ubune. The boats are designed to be able to navigate the shallow waters of the rivers where the fish are easier to catch. As they begin their fishing run, the fishermen attract the fish by lighting bright fires in metal baskets suspended from the front of their boat. The light is supplemented by either the sound of a drum or the beating of an oar against the side of the boat.
The cormorant birds are then sent out into the water to catch the fish. Each bird is on a leash that is attached to a small metal ring around the base of its neck. The metal ring is just large enough to let extremely small fish through, but too small to let a bird swallow any fish of the size that fishermen or tourists are hoping to eat. Every time a cormorant catches a fish, it is pulled back into the boat and is forced to disgorge the fish.
The large 40mm Gifu Prefecture coins are minted in gem proof quality from 99.9% pure silver; they are limited to 100,000 with just 5,000 available to collectors outside of Japan. To order or for further information, call the official American distributor 800-472-6327 or visit www.PandaAmerica(dot)com.
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