The bird fishermen of Japan
A cormorant master uses sea cormorants to catch sweetfish in Gifu, Japan, July 2, 2014.
In this traditional fishing art, called ukai, a cormorant master called an usho manages cormorants to capture ayu, or sweetfish.
The ushos of River Nagara have been the official staff of the Imperial Household Agency of Japan since 1890. Currently six imperial fishermen of Nagara River conduct special fishing to contribute to the Imperial family eight times a year, on top of daily fishing from mid-May to mid-October.
All photos taken in Gifu, Japan.
Gifu, Japan
Cormorant master, Masahiko Sugiyama feeds some of his sea cormorants that were not choosen for that night's ukai, July 2, 2014.
Gifu, Japan
A cormorant master prepares his sea cormorants for the ukai, July 2, 2014.
Gifu, Japan
Cormorant master, Masahiko Sugiyama chooses his cormorants for the ukai, July 2, 2014.
Gifu, Japan
Cormorant master Masahiko Sugiyama puts on his traditional Kazori-Eboshi (hat) in preparation for the nights ukai, July 2, 2014.
Gifu, Japan
Boatmen navigate up river to prepare for the night's ukai, July 2, 2014.
Gifu, Japan
A boatman holds onto sea cormorants attached by strings as he prepares the birds for the night's ukai, July 2, 2014.
Gifu, Japan
A boatman carries baskets of sea cormorants to a fishing boat ahead of the night's ukai, July 2, 2014.
Gifu, Japan
Sweetfish caught by sea cormorants are seen with the birds' beak marks on their flesh, July 2, 2014.
Gifu, Japan
Boatmen prepare wood to burn in the fishing boat torches ahead of the night's ukai, July 2, 2014.
Gifu, Japan
Cormorant masters and boatmen prepare sea cormorants for the night's ukai, July 2, 2014.
Gifu, Japan
Cormorant master, Masahiko Sugiyama checks the condition of one of his sea cormorants ahead of the night's ukai, July 2, 2014.
Gifu, Japan
Sea cormorants are seen in an enclosure used by Cormorant master, Masahiko Sugiyama, July 2, 2014.
Gifu, Japan
Cormorant master, Masahiko Sugiyama uses sea cormorants to catch sweetfish, July 2, 2014.
Gifu, Japan
Cormorant master, Masahiko Sugiyama carries a basket of sea cormorants to his fishing boat ahead of the night's ukai, July 2, 2014.
Gifu, Japan
Cormorant master Masahiko Sugiyama checks the condition of one of his sea cormorants prior to the start of the night's ukai, July 2, 2014.
Gifu, Japan
Cormorant masters and boatmen prepare for the night's ukai, July 2, 2014.
Gifu, Japan
Cormorant master, Masahiko Sugiyama pulls one of his sea cormorants onto the boat after it caught a fish, July 2, 2014.
Gifu, Japan
A boatman relaxes quietly at the Mawashiba (preparation area) prior to the start of the night's ukai, July 2, 2014.
Gifu, Japan
Cormorant master, Masahiko Sugiyama chooses his cormorants for the night's ukai, July 2, 2014.
Gifu, Japan
Sea cormorants are seen illuminated by fire as they work to catch sweetfish, July 2, 2014.
Gifu, Japan
A sea cormorant is seen in a basket, July 2, 2014.
Gifu, Japan
Cormorant master, Masahiko Sugiyama places his sea cormorants in baskets to be transported to the fishing boat, July 2, 2014.
Gifu, Japan
A boatman loads baskets of sea cormorants onto a fishing boat in preparation for the night's ukai, July 2, 2014.
Gifu, Japan
Cormorant master, Masahiko Sugiyama puts on his traditional Kazori-Eboshi (hat) around a bonfire prior to the start of the night's ukai, July 2, 2014.