Exploring Japanese Landmarks in Nishiki-e and Photographs

Nagara River

Cormorant fishing was protected from the Heian period to the time of the samurai as a means of capturing ayu fish to be presented to the authorities. In particular, cormorants on the Nagara River thrived under the patronage of ODA Nobunaga and TOKUGAWA Ieyasu. Cormorant fishing as tourism began after the Meiji period, when sightseeing boats were built on the river, and it is still one of the most popular summer traditions in Gifu City today.