Characteristics of Pre-modern Fish Consumption and Fishery in Lake Biwa

Abstract

This study aimed at developing the characteristics of pre-modern distribution of fish and fishery in Lake Biwa.

In pre-modern times, people had different sense of utility value about fish from ours. Actually, they invested fish with political meaning. Fishermen in Lake Biwa presented fish -sweetfish in ancient times, carp in medieval, and crucian in Edo era -to powers in Kyoto or Edo. It was their obligation to get these important fish.

During Edo period Crucian also had a high popularity among Kyoto consumers. Fishermen in Katata had the special fishing rights to get it all over the lake and offerd it to powers and consumers. They stopped desperately all new offshore fishing to maintain their rights. As a result, they could keep the rule of fishing in Lake Biwa.