jaw craftsman/fisherman

Hirano Akira, 44
Craftsman, Fisherman

Born in Kyoto, Akira is as jovial as one would expect for someone who makes a living at play. Paper mache creations hang here and there in his cluttered two story apartment in a mountain village in Gifu prefecture. Virtually rent-free, their apartment is conveniently located in a small town of one supermarket, no bookstore, two gas stations—and five liquor stores. Akira makes good use of this availability. I interviewed him after dinner at his house, enjoying fine shouchu (Japanese whiskey made from potato, barley or rice) that tasted more like vodka, to our liking

Could you tell me about your job?
I do hariko, which is a Japanese traditional craft. The essential materials include paper such as newspaper, water and glue. It’s similar to paper mache. I make fish shapes—red snapper, carp, and goldfish using traditional images as models. This job is very enjoyable. It’s better to have a job that’s fun, I think. Of course sometimes I have to press to finish by the exhibition opening, or do some repairs which might be tedious, but by and large it’s fun. People buy them to decorate their houses, for celebrations, or for good luck, like a dream catcher. I learned at Osaka University of Arts.

Why did you choose this job?
For starters I really like fish. I like decorations, and festivals, bon odori dancing so that makes the job enjoyable. These are the sort of decorations I like, so it’s enjoyable for me to make them.

How long does it take to prepare the hariko fish?
I have exhibitions every three or six months in Takayama, Toyama, Osaka, and other cities. Sometimes I send them by mail, or drive them there. I’m from Kyoto and Yuki (his wife) is from Osaka. I work on the hariko eight or ten hours a day, typical working day for Japanese.

You also have a job as a fisherman?
That’s right. This is really my hobby. Local innkeepers told me they would like to buy ayu (sweetfish) if I catch enough. They want river ayu. For their ryokan. I can’t actually say it’s a job. I feel deep gratitude for the abundance that nature provides. It’s like when I go to the temple for New Year. That feeling moves me to fish.

So how many do you catch in a day?
Typically 30. On a good day I might catch 70 or 80 even. With ayu good fishing days are clear days, not rainy or cloudy days. That’s about the only fish I catch. Once in awhile I catch trout. Ayu fishing is rather unique as it doesn’t involve a spoon, or fly, or typical bait. I drop an ayu into the river; others crowd around it and get caught on the hook, not necessarily in the mouth. Ayu is easy to eat; you eat everything including head and tail. The stomach is a bit bitter, but since ayu feeds on moss rather than insects stomach contents are fine to eat.

Excuse me for asking, but about how much money can you make fishing?
If I catch 30 I can make about 10,000 yen. I get up early, do some work on hariko, then get to the river by 10am and fish until 5 or 6pm. That’s enjoyable as well. Of course some days I can’t fish because of the water level, or weather. I stop entirely in the winter and just do hariko. And drink saki.

the end