UJI, Kyoto Prefecture--When masters call out to a flock of Japanese cormorants, the birds return to the bank of a man-made pond, their throats bulging with fish. The scene resembles the traditional ...

In the pitch black night, fires burn alongside a river in the city of Gifu in Japan as a handful of men prepare for a ritual that dates back more than 1,300 years: fishing with cormorants. Dressed in ...

Cormorants have been a constant presence in Youichiro Adachi’s life, and when he was young, he cried whenever one of his family’s birds died. Now 48, Mr. Adachi still cares deeply for his birds, ...

* Description: Cormorants are striking, almost reptilian looking seabirds with long necks and bills. They are often seen standing on rocks with their wings held out to dry, their black feathers like ...

GIFU -- Traditional cormorant fishing has begun on the Nagara River in this central Japan city, with fiery torches on boats creating a magical atmosphere for spectators. Cormorant fishing boasts a ...

The "Gifu Nagaragawa Ukai" started on the evening of May 11 in the city of Gifu. Ukai is a traditional fishing method where trained cormorants catch fish. There were no COVID-19-related restrictions ...

9. 1: The system used to attract ayu is activated. 2: The distribution of boats on the river is decided by a draw of lots. 3: Loops are tied around the cormorants’ necks. 4: Usho remove ayu from the ...