In this paper, the author reveals how nature and the environment are seen by river–fishers, who are actors in subsistence activities (i.e., fishing activities), by analyzing the fishing activities of river–fishers in the Yodogawa River and specific fishery operations. First, the author reveals that river–fishers are interested in fish (i.e., target fish species) and fishing grounds (i.e., areas used for fishing activities), based on analyses of fishing activities and specific fishery operations by river–fishers.
The author then reviews underlying factors that are related to fish and fishing grounds, points out that there are two factors regarding fish (i.e., fish habitats and fish migration), and reveals that these factors are affected by natural factors such as river terrain, water flow, wind direction, and tidal ebb and flow. The author points out that factors related to fishing grounds involve other river–fishers who are rivals in fishery.
In terms of fishers’ attitude toward nature (i.e., fish), the author focuses on the phrase “ask the fish if you want to know about fish”. The author points out that the phrase reflects fishers’ attitude toward nature, that is, people should treat nature as an equal partner. In terms of fishers’ attitude toward the environment in connection with fishing grounds,the author also focuses on the fact that fishers call fishing grounds “rice chest”. The author points out that the expression reflects fishers’ perception of fishing grounds as the foundation that supports their families’ lives.
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