Vol. 74 No. 3 2022
Contents
Research Notes
SUZUKI Sarasa
Characteristics of Cormorant Fishing on the Nagara River in the Early Modern Period:
Focusing on the Relationship with Owari Domain (199)
2021 Annual Review
A Survey of Geographical Studies in Japan, 2021 (217)
Book Reviews (352)
Meeting Reports (368)
Miscellany (376)
Notices (379)
Program of the 2022 Annual Meeting of the Human Geographical Society of Japan (382)
Abstract
Characteristics of Cormorant Fishing on the Nagara River in the Early Modern Period: Focusing on the Relationship with Owari Domain
SUZUKI Sarasa
Graduate Student, School of Kyoto Prefectural University
This paper examines the background of the wide activity range of the Nagaragawa Ukai, a fishery utilizing many cormorants to catch fish along the Nagara River, in the early modern period, with reference to the relationship with the Owari domain throughout the Edo period. The Owari domain had a strong relationship with the Nagara River cormorant fishers and protected them through various systems. For the Owari domain, the purpose of protecting cormorant fishing was to secure the provenance of sweetfish, which were used as gifts. To breed large numbers of cormorants, the Usyo, who were fishers using cormorants along the river, had to act within various territories including Mino Province, Owari Province, Mikawa Province, and Ise Province. The ruler of the Owari domain could help their activities in various areas because the Owari domain held influence over the neighboring provinces beyond the Owari territory. The Usyo were allowed to pass freely through the territories because of a proclamation issued in 1752 and a license given by the Owari domain. However, the area the Usyo were allowed to occupy was extended to not only the rivers determined by the proclamation but also to waterways and reservoirs. These places were used by many other residents in the area for fishing, agriculture, and transportation. Consequently, there were clashes of interests in various places between the Usyo and other groups. At that time, the Owari domain granted special authority to the Usyo for the use of the territory.
Key words: cormorant fishing, Nagara river, livelihood space, Owari domain, early modern period