In Photos: Tributes to traditional fishing culture at large lagoon in north Japan

Stone memorials expressing appreciation for the mullet caught in Hachirogata lagoon, erected in the Edo, Meiji, Taisho and Showa periods, are seen in the city of Katagami, Akita Prefecture, on Feb. 23, 2022. The municipality has designated them as "tangible folk cultural property." (Satoshi Takahashi)

A stone memorial dedicated to fished mullet, which immensely benefitted the fisherfolk, is seen in the city of Katagami, Akita Prefecture, on Feb. 23, 2022. It was erected in 1859, during the feudal Edo period. Mullet were relished at homes in various ways, such as cooked in soy sauce, grilled with salt, or served raw as "sashimi." (Satoshi Takahashi)

A stone memorial erected in 1874 to pay tribute to a large mullet catch in Hachirogata lagoon is seen in the city of Katagami, Akita Prefecture, on Nov. 27, 2021. The municipality has designated it as "tangible folk cultural property." (Satoshi Takahashi)

A fishing boat formerly used on Hachirogata lagoon is seen at a warehouse in the city of Katagami, Akita Prefecture, on Feb. 19, 2022. This boat, nationally designated as "important tangible folk cultural property," measures longer than 10 meters and has a flat bottom to fit the shallow waters. (Satoshi Takahashi)

A fishing boat formerly used on Hachirogata lagoon is seen at a warehouse in the city of Katagami, Akita Prefecture, on Feb. 19, 2022. This boat, nationally designated as "important tangible folk cultural property," measures longer than 10 meters and has a flat bottom to fit the shallow waters. (Satoshi Takahashi)

A fishing boat formerly used on Hachirogata lagoon is seen at a warehouse in the city of Katagami, Akita Prefecture, on Feb. 19, 2022. This boat, nationally designated as "important tangible folk cultural property," measures longer than 10 meters and has a flat bottom to fit the shallow waters. (Satoshi Takahashi)

Weights used as scales by fisherfolk at Hachirogata lagoon, collected by Sohei Amano, 72, are seen at a former day care center that stores artifacts in Katagami, Akita Prefecture, on Feb. 19, 2022. The one on the right is pottery, used during World War II. (Satoshi Takahashi)

A tool used by fisherfolk to crack the frozen surface of Hachirogata lagoon, collected by Sohei Amano, 72, is seen at a former day care center that stores artifacts in Katagami, Akita Prefecture, on Feb. 19, 2022. (Satoshi Takahashi)

A tin box used by fisherfolk to pack and by vendors to carry the fish caught at Hachirogata lagoon is seen at a former day care center that stores artifacts in Katagami, Akita Prefecture, on Feb. 23, 2022. The box was collected by 72-year-old Sohei Amano. (Satoshi Takahashi)

A fishing net with seashell weights used by fisherfolk at Hachirogata lagoon is seen at a former day care center that stores artifacts in Katagami, Akita Prefecture, on Feb. 19, 2022. The net was collected by 72-year-old Sohei Amano. (Satoshi Takahashi)

A fishing port connected to remaining Hachiroko lake is seen in the city of Katagami, Akita Prefecture, on Sept. 26, 2021. Fisherfolk at the lagoon have decreased from some 3,000 before a reclamation project to fewer than 200 today. (Satoshi Takahashi)

The number of fisherfolk have decreased, from lack of successors and aging, and boats seeming to have lost their owners are seen at a port connecting to remaining Hachiroko lake, in the city of Katagami, Akita Prefecture, on Sept. 26, 2021. (Satoshi Takahashi)

A full moon shines above Hachirogata lagoon, seen from the city of Oga, Akita Prefecture, on Sept. 25, 2021. (Satoshi Takahashi)