Ukai Biraki (Opening of the Cormorant Fishing Season)

What Is Ukai Biraki?

Every year on May 11, the Nagara River in Gifu Prefecture (and other locations) holds "Ukai Biraki," the opening ceremony for cormorant fishing season. From May 11 through October 15 (except on the night of the harvest moon), this traditional fishing method is performed almost every evening. Against the magical backdrop of bonfires reflecting on the river's surface, skilled handlers called "ushō" guide trained cormorants to catch ayu (sweetfish) -- a living cultural heritage with a history of over 1,300 years.

A Tradition Protected by Emperors and Shoguns

Cormorant fishing isn't just a folk tradition -- it has long been treated as a special, state-protected practice, valued by Japan's most powerful historical figures.

• Protected by Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu: The warlord Oda Nobunaga used cormorant fishing displays to entertain important guests and granted the title and privileges of "ushō" to the fishermen. Tokugawa Ieyasu was also fond of the practice, and records show that ayu caught on the Nagara River were transported all the way to Edo (Tokyo) for him.
• Ushō as Imperial Household Officials: The cormorant handlers of the Nagara River hold an official position within the Imperial Household Agency. Several times a year, they perform "Goryō Ukai," a ceremonial fishing event in which the catch is presented to the Imperial Family -- a deep, centuries-old bond between this tradition and the imperial household.

The Remarkable Diving Ability of Cormorants -- A Look at the Science

Cormorant fishing is a remarkably efficient method that takes full advantage of the birds' natural abilities.

• Eagle-eyed vision underwater: Cormorants have a special lens-adjustment ability that lets them focus clearly even underwater. Even in murky rivers or at night, they can instantly spot the silvery flash of ayu startled by the bonfire light, often catching several fish in a single dive.
• Instant stunning and freshness: When a cormorant swallows an ayu, its beak strikes the fish's brain in an instant, killing it immediately. This prevents the fish from thrashing and damaging itself, keeping the meat exceptionally fresh and flavorful.

Fascinating Facts About Cormorant Fishing

• Why a cord around the neck? Each cormorant wears a cord (tenawa) around its neck. This is carefully adjusted so the bird can't swallow large ayu whole, while smaller ayu can still pass through to its stomach -- an elegant design that lets the bird feed itself while the handler harvests the larger catch.
• 1,300 years of hereditary tradition: The ushō of the Nagara River pass their role down through generations, living alongside their cormorants from childhood and developing a wordless understanding of each bird's calls and condition -- a bond that sustains this ancient craft.
• Praised by Charlie Chaplin: In 1932, the comedy legend Charlie Chaplin visited the Nagara River to watch cormorant fishing. He was so moved by its beauty that he returned twice more -- proof that Japan's traditional aesthetics resonate universally.
• A strict pecking order: Cormorants have a clear hierarchy among themselves, and conflicts can break out if the order of boarding the boat or entering the water isn't respected. Ushō must carefully manage this social balance.
• The role of the bonfire: Beyond lighting up the darkness, the flickering light and crackling sound of the fire startle the ayu into more active movement, making them easier for the cormorants to catch -- a deliberate strategic element of the practice.

Tips for Spending Ukai Biraki Day

• Around May 11, watch videos or photos of cormorant fishing from around Japan. The contrast of the red bonfire light, the dark river, and the silver ayu reflects an aesthetic that the Japanese have long valued -- "passion within stillness."
• Reflect on the bond between people and animals. The ushō care for their cormorants, and the cormorants respond by fishing well. This is a good time to reconsider your own relationships -- moving from one-sided instructions to genuine cooperation that draws on everyone's strengths.
• Notice the arrival of the season. Cormorant fishing begins just as ayu season opens. Sensing seasonal change through food and scenery is wonderful self-care for the mind.
• Take time to watch fire. The flickering of a bonfire has what's known as "1/f fluctuation," a pattern scientifically linked to relaxation. Light a candle and spend a quiet evening calming your mind.

The Glow of Bonfires Piercing the Darkness Illuminates Your Doubts, and the Heartbeat of Cormorants on the Water Awakens the "Quiet Wildness" Needed to Carry You Through Tomorrow

May 11 is the day a 1,300-year-old contest between humans and nature begins anew. Just as the ushō's mastery depends on trusting their cormorants, trust your own instincts and the experience you've built up so far. Even amid the rough waters of a new fiscal year, a sharp eye and adaptable movements -- like a cormorant's -- will help you seize your opportunities. Tonight's bonfires on the Nagara River are connected to the fire of passion within your own heart. Carrying the proven power of cooperation, go forward and trace your own beautiful path through the season ahead.