XXXVI 



FISHING WITH CORMORANTS 

 1902 



ON an hotel card drawing attention to the attractions of 

 Nagoya, one of the show places of Japan, and its sur- 

 roundings are among others the following items as here 

 copied : 



" Osu Kwannon. A large temple of Goddess of Mercy; 

 prigrimes worshipers are ranging from morning to night, the 

 Image of Kwannon may he seen in perpetual fire of incense." 



" Gohyaku-rakan ; five hundred idoles of Bhuddists. Art of 

 carving is a object of the turists' visit." 



" Nagara-gawa. The suhurb of Gifu, a river of national 

 fame, celebrated ibr its cormorant fishing in its stream." 



Letting the worshippers range and the five hundred idols 

 rest in peace, we did, however, pay a visit to the river of national 

 fame. With this object we got into our rickishas at the door of 

 the Japanese inn at Gifu one evening in July, and were soon 

 on the way to the Nagara-gawa. It was just the night desired 

 for seeing the sport at its best a night as dark as it well could 

 be, with only a star visible here and there in the black, cloudy 

 sky. We were pulled rapidly through the narrow, dimly-lighted 

 streets, crowded at this time with a very picturesque throng in 

 its many-coloured garb. Most of the passers-by were carrying 

 something, many pretty paper lanterns ; women, boys, and girls 

 had babies in bright wraps strapped on to their backs ; men 

 with heavy loads, boxes containing fish, sweetmeats, or vege- 

 tables, ices, and goodness knows what, suspended by means of a 

 pole balanced across their shoulder, advertising their wares by 

 voice, bell, or drum. A blind amma shampooer felt his way 



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