Have you ever heard of cormorant fishing? Well, in the midst of all my hustle and bustle, I feel like one of those cormorants. It's a traditional fishing technique whereby these skilled birds are allowed to dive after and swallow smaller fish but are choked to make them regurgitate with a leash larger ones. Fish caught this way are said to be delicious because they're killed in no time, suffocating in the cormorant's gullet.

I was able to relate to the cormorants so much that I researched this method a bit. Matsuo Bashō, the most famous haiku poet of the 17th century, was inspired to compose a haiku after watching cormorants do their thing on the Nagara river in Gifu Prefecture.

おもしろうてやがて悲しき鵜舟かな

Amusing, yet soon, becomes oh so sorrowful, the cormorant boat. (Uly sensei's sophisticated translation)

Today, you can still watch this ancient tradition play out on the Nagara River. Although it has become a touristy attraction, it's worth seeing, and the best part is that you get to enjoy the sweetfish they catch, with its refreshing aroma, reminiscent of watermelon. Gifu Prefecture is next to Toyama, where I live. I may visit this summer.