Fishing Method

A cormorant master boards a boat with a fire basket mounted at the bow, handling 10–12 cormorants tethered by ropes. The firelight startles ayu fish, prompting the cormorants to catch them in rapid succession. Living in close companionship with the birds, the master and cormorants move in perfect synchrony, skillfully capturing ayu (Sweetfish). This “total entanglement” hunting method, in which the cormorants work together, creates a captivating spectacle for onlookers.

Cormorants

Wild sea cormorants are captured and undergo 2 – 3 years of training before they are ready for fishing. Each master keeps around 20 cormorants at home, selecting those to be used after assessing their condition a few hours before departure. The birds work in pairs to foster cooperation and rapport, though they may not bond well with cormorants outside their pairing.

Ayu (sweetfish)

Ayu (sweetfish) caught by cormorants, known as “U-ayu” or “tooth-marked ayu” are prized for their exceptional freshness and flavor. Rare and expensive, these fish never appear in ordinary markets. Only ryokan or hotels with exclusive contracts with cormorant masters can serve them.