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cormorant
A large fish-eating waterbird with a long neck. In Japan, cormorants are best known for their use in the traditional fishing method called ukai.
Known primarily for 鵜飼い (cormorant fishing), a traditional Japanese fishing method where trained cormorants catch fish, especially 鮎 (sweetfish). The most famous location is the 長良川 in 岐阜. Also appears in the expression 鵜呑みにする (to swallow something whole, i.e., to accept something uncritically).
Common collocations
- 鵜飼い — cormorant fishing
- 鵜匠 — cormorant fishing master
- 鵜呑みにする — to swallow whole; to accept uncritically
Cultural note
鵜飼い has over 1,300 years of history in Japan and is designated as an intangible folk cultural property. The 長良川 鵜飼い season runs from May to October and is a major tourist attraction.