People catching Hasu fish

Hamabun, Imazu Town, Shiga
(Japan)

Fishing Hasu took place at the mouth of Ishida River, from June to early July when the fish go up the river for spawing. People fished Hasu for their pleasure rather than for their living; everyone gathered and caught the fish lively after working in the morning at their rice fields. Dividing the catch evenly among adults and children was a custom of this area. Since the people no longer eat Hasu, the Hasu fishing is rarely seen today; Hasu is fished only once or twice a year because it disturbes the Ayu fishing and Lake Biwa Museum uses it as a food for the fish of large size. (A. Kobayashi)