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.