Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-05-01
NOVEL FISHING.



/ was invited one evening, says writer
In the ATgotldnt. during my sojourn If "a
small town not far from Kiyoto, the old
capital OF Japan, to accompany some
yakunins (oilicials), who were then
travelling with me, TO the neighborinR
river, for the purpose Of witnessing the
manner In which corInorants are en-
ployed. in the catching Of fish: Mt the
same time was informed that pleas
urc boat had already been engaged for
the occasion. ] accepted the invitation
eagerly, and, lanterns being provided.
together with "A guide to show the way.
we set out, carefully picking our way
along the narrow paths dividing the rice
fields, the myriads Of frogs in the water
all round III kceplngup dcnfcning roar,
rendering IL almost impossible 10 carry
on conversation, while the mosquitoes
were anything but friendly in their de-
monstrations. When we were about
five hundred yards from the place where
our .ydHc-buHe Oitcrally roOf-boaU was
awaiting US, we were met by one of our
hoatmcn bearing lantern. who nt once
turned and preceded us to the little pier
Of stones.
On entering the boat, the bottom Of
which was comfortably covered with
tattmi Chick mats), over which was
spread gay-colorcd rug. was agree
ably surprised 10 find that everything
requisite for spending pleasant evening
had been sent on before my hosts My
hitcr-acquaintuncc with The people Of
this beautiful country has taught me
that they never lose the opportunity To
make merry, and will seize upon the
most triiling excuse for organizinra pic
nir, and thoroughly enjoying themselves
when such pleasures do not interfere with
the strict performance of their public
duties. On the present occasion six
gctdd Ocmale musicians) had been en-
gagged, who sat at one side of the boat.
while We of the other sex ranged our
selves on the mats on the other. Sweet
meats Of various kinds were spread out
on lncfucred trays. n we all settled our
selves into the most comfortable atti-
iudcs. and the Sc'ilio (boaimcn) were told
to east Off
Afcr about fifteen minutes sculling We
rounded a bend Of the river, when n
magnificent spectacle burst on our view.
Ih" river appeared 30 be on fire. Near
IS two hundred fishing boats were in
sight. At the bow Of each. and attached
to the end Of pole projecting over the
water. was brnzicr containing burning
pine wood, blazing pieces Of which every
now and then fcll through the bars into
Tire water, thereby multiplying the num-
ber of lights. real and reelected. and add
ing to the general effect Our boatIncn
now steercd W. into the midst Of tho
busy scene. and driving the buatpole into
thc bed oi 10" river, made fast io il. and
set down 20 smoke their kis.r0 (pipcal.
Zach Of the boats possessed from ton to
twenty corinoranis. which. when not en-
glgcdn thci duty Of catching fish. re-
manned silently pcTChcd on the guuwalcs
awaiting their masters commands Tho
birds which are employed in this branch
of industry are Matched from eggs OBJ
tanned from the cliffs along the shore.
and being accustomed from the first io
tlIo company uf Iran. are very tame.
Emh las name given TO IL, and, on its
owner making a pc. G,iar sound. will
enter the water in search Of the fish that
would. were IL free. he their natural
prey. Large numbers 81 them were now
swimming around the boats. their move
ncnis controlled hy strings attached to
rings around their necks. and held in the
iiehcTmcn's hands Whenever a bird
Spied fish attracted by the glare of the
fire. IL scized IL with its bill. but was
prevented from swallowing il 10y the ring
round it's threat. The fisherman then
uttered a peculiar cry. and gently drew
il into the boat. whore ii was forced 10
give up the prize Occasionally the
birds are rewarded by being permitted
to swallow a fish. In some parts of
Japan considerable quantities Of fish are
taken in this manner
One oi my entertainers now hailed the
nearest boat and bargained for some of
the frcsh-caught SIkInd (fish). and hav.
ing provided a giddle for the occasion.
had LIS uf4rghaua hr,i laI ,.xs,y a..
QboN holding charcoal fre) and this
made n rcpast iit fol an cpicurc par
took heartily Of this dish. which the Jap
anese know SO well how to cook. and did
not neglect the sake (winc). which was
passed around pretty rapidly. and which
was kept hot in a kdH-dolvlri (porcelain
vessel in which wine j. heated by being
placed in a kettle Of hot watcr) hy ono 81
the fair singers. who also took care that
the bottle was rcplcnishcd a. fast "a II
was cmpiicd. During all this time the
gcisla had been cnlivening the feast with
sonCs, accompanying themselves on their
sImiscHS (guitars), while in the interval
Jokes, puns, and rcpartoo kept all in a
continual laughter.
MY hosts now proposed 90 return. audt
he boaimcn having blown the remains.
Of the tobacco out oftheir little pipes as n
boy would blow pea from pea-shoot-
CT. the boat was unmoored. and We
dropped gently down with the stream
toward our lnnding-plnoc; and jus, as |
was beginning to cast rather tender
glanccs (probably the effects Of tho fish
or wine) In the direction of very pretty
geishd seatod opposite me we touched the
pier, and, stepping ashore, took our way
again through the rice fields. the scene
enlivened by large numbers Of hotdro
(fre-hies) fitting hithcT and thithcr.
Outside our hotel I'VE parted with our
fair musicians and retired 10 rest, having
spent most pleasant evening.