The Kunimasu Exhibition at JR Tazawako Station

The discovery of Kunimasu (Black Kokanee), a subspecies of a Japanese salmon which was thought to have extinguished in 1940s, was national sensation in December 2010 – which was even mentioned at the birthday speech by the Japanese emperor!

A FREE exhibition about Kunimasu is being held at JR Tazawako Station. The opening ceremony, held on Saturday, July 23 from 9:00 a.m., was attended by guests like the Superintendent of City Education Board, Semboku City Mayor, President of Tazawako Tourism Association, Chairman of the city assembly, Stationmaster of JR Tazawako Station. (From left to right in the picture below)

The Kunimasu Exhibition at JR Tazawako Station

Although the news has been overcasted by the shadows of the March catastrophe, Kunimasu is still an exciting topic for many local people. Over the months, the local enthusiasts have gathered materials and information to hold an exhibition themed in the history of searching and longing for the symbolic fish.

We have worked to acquire some important resources, such as copies of a Kunimasu-inspired Manga comic book by Takao Yaguchi, and the original copy of the “Wanted” campaign, and last but not the least, the specimens of 70 years ago and the one recently caught in Lake Saiko, Yamanashi Prefecture.

Tazawako specimen (left) and Saiko specimen (right)

Specimens of Kunimasu caught in Lake Tazawa 70 years ago (left) and in Lake Saiko earlier this year (right) are displayed side by side. Another specimen (background of picture on the right) is one of other local fish caught in Lake Tazawa around the same time as the Tazawako specimen.

The older kunimasu specimen is very rare - it is one of the only few that still exist in the world. Mr. Sugiyama, a renown kunimasu specialist says "both are most likely caught after the acidic water has flew in to the lake -- one of the last ones caught on the verge of extinction."

The exhibition is consisted of two parts: the first part with such materials will be held from July 23 to 31st, followed by the later schedule from August 4 to 21st with different materials such as resourceful photographs and panel displays. The exhibition is being held from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00p.m.at FOLAKE Tourist Information Center at JR Tazawako Station.

The exhibition is co-hosted by Semboku City, Semboku City Education Board, Tazawako-ni-Inochi-wo-Hagukumukai, Obonai Chiiki Uneitai with a collaboration by Masuda Manga Museum, in Yokote City.

Sakana-kun Lectures on Kunimasu in the Fish's Hometown!

Last weekend Tazawako welcomed very special guest! Sakana-kun!

Sakanakun's Lecture at Semboku City Munincipal Auditorium

Sakana-kun　（さかなクン） is a popular TV talent and a marine-biologist who has contributed to the discovery of kunimasu, fish that was endemic species to Lake Tazawa that had been considered to be extinct for 70 years. In January, a group from Semboku City officials visited Lake Saiko, the site of discovery, to meet Sakana-kun and the concerned persons in the community.

The main purpose of Sakana-kun’s visit last week was to make a lecture on kunimasu in its hometown. The venue was packed with a thousand guests from in and out of Akita Prefecture. There were even lines of people waiting outside for canceled seats!

Sakana-kun delivered his lecture to appeal the environmental sustainability by speaking humorously with his characteristic illustrations: “More fish can be seen in an excellent natural environment. Let us appreciate the life in nature. Do not waste food on your plate, so you can also save water for dish-washing.”

Sakana-kun was requested by Mr. Nakabou, a Kyoto University professor, to make an illustration of kunimasu based on its old specimen. To get a better image, he requested some of himemasu, relative species to kunimasu. He recalled that “the package was too small to contain himemasu.” In the box, instead, he found some black shiny fish that looked exactly like what kunimasu would look like. He exclaimed with excitement and showed his signature pose, which brought out laugher in the audience.

Fireworks at Tazawako Snow Festival 2011

When you ask us what would be the best feature of Tazawako Snow Festival, firework show is probably the first thing to come to our mind. It is designed by award-winning firework craftsmen from Omagari City, which is known as the mecca of fireworks in Japan. It seems that the cold, clear winter sky makes the fireworks even more beautiful!

Firework show followed after the exciting fire-ring show by professional performing group.

This year the fireworks was the best ever! Fish-themed fireworks were shown to celebrate the discovery of kunimasu, which is still a hot topic in Tazawako! Its beauty is really hard to capture in pictures or videos, but we hope you enjoy!

Meeting Kunimasu at Lake Saiko: Semboku City Group Visits

Courtesy of Sakigake On the Web

Kunimasu, subspecies of himemasu (known as kokanee in North America) that is said to have died out 70 years ago, was discovered in Lake Saiko in Yamanashi Prefecture. The news was quickly spread out nationwide, reported as a miraculous story.

Over the weekend, a group of Semboku City officials visited Lake Saiko and Kyoto University. The members met Sakana-kun (a popular TV talent and a marine biologist) and Professor Nakabou at Kyoto University, who made a great contribution to the research on the fish once long labeled as “extinct.”

The 13-members group was consisted of Semboku City Mayor (Mr. Kadowaki), president of Tazawako Tourism Association, and representatives of Lake Tazawa revitalization group.

At the press conference that was reported nationwide, Mr. Kadowaki, as the leader of the group, expressed the gratitude on behalf of the citizens of Semboku City, Akita Prefecture, and even the whole nation.

The group also visited the city hall of Fujikawaguchiko-machi, a town where Lake Saiko is situated, to meet the town mayor, Mr. Watanabe. Mr. Kadowaki had expressed graditude and also mentioned his concerns over the possiblity of exploitation. He appealed to the local group for further protective care of the endangered species and a corporative support to keep the fish alive, while the environment in Lake Tazawa is being improved — so someday they can “return home.”

The representatives of the visiting group along with Sakana-kun and Professor Nakabou held a press conference to which both local and national media flocked over. Sakana-kun, in response to Semboku City’s request, commented that he is willing to corporate with Semboku City and do his best in promoting the Tazawako Satogaeri (“Return-home”) Project.

After the press conference, the group headed to Lake Saiko. Semboku City mayor, Mr. Kadowaki had written on his blog that he was very emotional at the discovery site and he was told that the local people pay attentive care to the environment. That is definitely the reason why kunimasu, which prefers cold clean freshwater, were able to survive there.

Photo Courtesy of Kadosan.com

“At the same site,” Mr. Kadowaki continues “I asked Sakanakun if he would come to Tazawako. ‘Yes, of course’ he replied, ‘I enjoy scuba-diving, and Akita is a hometown of my favorite photographer, Mr. Ikuo Nakamura. I would love to do scuba-diving with him in Lake Tazawa.’ We have a promise.”

Sakana-kun had also given Semboku City a permission to use his kunimasu drawings for the Kunimasu Return-home Project. We are greatly excited about his support, and we as a community are determined to have them “return home.”

Fishermen's Dream Come True

Back in this spring, Mr. Hisashi Miura (Age 61) and his neighbors restored a traditional fishing boat made with 150-year-old cedar wood. He has named it “kunimasu” to commemorate his late father, Kyubei, who dedicated his passion in studying then-endangered species.



Fishing Kunimasu in the Early Showa Era
(Tazawako Kyodo Shiryo-kan)



A letter sent to Tazawako from Lake Saiko in 1935
(Courtesy of Mr. Miura)

“Not many dead eggs. Good condition. The money will be sent to you after an arrangement with the prefectural government.” – The Miura family preserves a thank-you letter received from Lake Saiko, where kunimasu was found. The letter is a proof that the eggs were indeed sent to Lake Saiko. It was 75 years ago and five years before the fish died out. Mr. Miura says that he wishes he could have shared this happiness with his father.

Between 1995- 1998, Tazawako Tourism Association had a campaign to search for this “lost” fish. Semboku City government is starting a new project to bring back kunimasu home. “The fishermen had sent out the eggs, probably because they also hoped to bring them back home.” Mr. Kazushi Sato of Tazawako Tourism Association and his associates are hopeful. A group is planning a visit to Kyoto University and Lake Saiko on December 25th- 26th, 2010.

The group is concerned with the survival of kunimasu and what to do with the expired campaign reward; but first, they will visit Lake Saiko and pay a respect and gratitude to the involved community. They will plead a continuing protection to the endangered species.

(Above is summarized commentary on Sakigake On the Web.)

Kunimasu Controversy: "Black Spots"

Some newspapers report that the difference of spawning seasons between himemasu and kunimasu was the decisive factor which led to the miraculous discovery of the "extinct" fish, kunimasu.

In recent years, fishermen at Lake Saiko had been seeing fish with "black body, " so they called the fish “kuromasu," or a black trout. The fishemen had believed that it was the same as himemasu (a relative species to kunimasu) discolored after the spawning season.

In spring, the same fish were brought to the university research group and studied. What they have found was astonishing evidence: the tails were damaged. This brought out a question if it was really a himemasu, because its spawning season is in autumn -- not in spring. In April, Professor Nakabou of Kyoto University visited Lake Saiko and finally confirmed his doubt.

A Kunimasu Specimen Recovered at Lake Saiko

(Courtesy of Kyoto University)

Kyoto University preserves 9 of the 17 kunimasu specimens that exist in the world. In March, Sakanakun, a popular TV talent and a professor at a marine science university, had brought two fish specimens, which astonished Professor Nakabou. The features – black body, shapes of gills, and digestive organs – matched with those of kunimasu.

Although himemasu, relative fish abundantly found in Lake Saiko, are said to darken its color after the spawning season, Professor Nakabou was skeptical about this. His research group had obtained some "kuromasu" specimens from the local fishermen.  

The "black" himemasu had some odd elements for himemasu: First, some female fish were holding eggs --there was no way himemasu would spawn in March and April; secondly, they were caught in a depth of 30-40 meters, which was too deep for himemasu to lay eggs; Lastly, the fish were washed up on the shore after spawning, which is a known as a unique behavior of kunimasu.

Professor Nakabou was assured after a genetic analogy. He submitted a thesis to the Ichthyology Society of Japan in late October. After a thorough screening by the experts, the report was permitted to be published in the society’s English paper.

Specimen registered as a new-found species in 1925.

(Courtesy of The Field Museum in Chicago, USA)

Despite all the validation, Professor Nakabou was still concerned about one thing: light spots on around the dorsal fin.

In the 1925 report by Dr.Jordan, an American Ichthyologist, which registedred kunimasu as a new-found species, it is stated as “no dark spots on body or fins.” This report has been considered as the most valuable ground to certify a kunimasu on.

Professor Hideki Sugiyama of Akita Prefectural University, author of the acclaimed book Kunimasu Hyakka, stresses that the presence of dark spots does not agree with the report, so that it is questionable whether or not it is kunimasu indeed.

In another report, however, made in 1941 by Dr. Oshima, who studied under Jordan,　reported that “light dark spots are seen near the dorsal fins," which is why Professor Nakabou concludes that “individual differences could cause dark spots on some, so that we cannot we cannot jump to a conclusion that it is not kunimasu. If all the other traits match, it must be it. “

Kunimasu and himemasu both belong to a family of land-locked red salmon. They are hard to distinguish from each other because both can be traced back to the same origin. Not much is known about kunimasu because it was driven to the verge of extinction before it was studied and documented. Ministry of the Environment is revewing the registration status in its Red List, and the involved community seem to continue a heated discussion.

Books About The "Lost" Fish, Kunimasu!

Kunimasu’s re-discovery has been unfolding its mysterious history that is closely related with the regional development of Tazawako area. Our Wanted Campaign also played a big part in the history of searching for the “lost” species. Our passion traces back many centuries even as is told in Legend of Tatsuko.

You may still wonder why this is such a big deal, but here are some books that explain it all:

Chiteiko-no-Kinoshirimasu

(地底湖のキノシリマス)

By Takao Yaguchi

ISBN: 4-06-334533-5

Published by Kodansha

This is a comic book written and illustrated by Yaguchi Takao as a part of his series Tsurikichi Sanpei (釣りキチ三平). In the first half of this book, 10-year-old Sanpei, a passionate fisher visits Lake Tazawa in search of the “lost” fish, kunimasu. He is guided by a member of Tazawako-machi Tourism Association to learn about how the acid water of Tamagawa River was channeled into Lake Tazawa and killed the endangered species. Sanpei also discovers how kunimasu has evolved into its own kind because of Tazawako’s unique environment. It also introduces Legend of Tatsuko, which is closely tied with the mystery of kunimasu.

 

Maboroshi-no-sakana Kunimasu Hyakka

 (幻の魚　クニマス百科)

By Hideki Sugiyama

ISBN: 4870202050

Published by Akita Sakigake Shinpo-sha

This book is written by a researcher, Hideki Sugiyama, which gives detailed scientific analysis on kunimasu. The book also includes colored photos and an interview of fishermen and detailed results by kunimasu committee back in the Wanted campaign. It includes a English description by two American researchers (Jordan and McGregor) and two comparative drawings.

The book is available at JR Tazawako Station. If you are in Japan, we can send you a copy as well.

Kunimasu News Reported Nationwide (FNN)

Kunimasu's rediscovery is a national sensation! 

Following is how FNN had reported the news nationwide (thank you).

In the video, you can see a drawing of kunimasu that Sakana-kun had announced along with some comments regarding his miraculous re-discovery.

Our Semboku City Mayor, Mr. Kadowaki also comments that "the news have made me so emotional that I wanted to say 'thank you, Sakana-kun' out loud."

Moment of Rediscovery: Sakana-kun Did it!

Kunimasu, species of fish that was listed as "extinct" on the Red List of Japanese Ministry of the Environment have been rediscovered!

The news first delivered to us in person around 15pm on December 14th by a journalist from this news company. Here is a video from the same broadcasting company that reports the decisive moment at which the popular TV talent Sakana-kun catches a kunimasu!

Next morning, The Asahi Shimbun had reported it in their morning paper. Read it here.

The Wanted Got Busted: Kunimasu Was Caught!

The fish everyone is asking us about—yes, I mean Kunimasu – had been longed for and searched for for past 70 years! Now it has been rediscovered in a lake about 500km away from hometown.

Can you believe it?

The news have been a national sensation, because it really is romantic-- a wish of  fishermen that desperately tried to save the endangered species had just been revealed to have come true! They knew the chances were slim to none, but they tried anyway – not for their own sake but for the coming generation—that is us!

The fishermen, a record shows, have sent out 100,000 kunimasu eggs to a few lakes under a similar condition as Lake Tazawa: deep, clean, and low water temperature.

Lake Saiko was one of them. And the rest is as is reported by the media yesterday.

Our Wanted Campaign Poster from 1990s. Now "X"ed, for the case has been solved!

Everyone's big question: Is the posted reward still valid?





   

     

Back in 1990s, Tazawako Tourism Association (formerly known as Tazawako-machi Tourism Association) has promoted a campaign to carry on the wishes of local people that kunimasu may have survived elsewhere. The cash reward was 5,000,000 yen for the person that caught a kunimasu. Unfortunately, the campaign has been ended in 1998.

To us, the story symbolizes importance of natural environment and world peace. The channel construction from Tamagawa River has caused inflow of acidic water to Lake Tazawa. You might argue that it could have been avoided, but it was an inevitable situation in amidst World War II, when the entire country had been focusing on nothing but war footing. Despite the known risks, the people’s concern was never heard.

The Wanted campaign is first posted with a reward of 1,000,000 yen but no results. A few years later it was raised up to 5,000,000 yen. Years later, there was still no kunimasu found. The case had never been solved until yesterday. 

  

THE COLD CASE WAS SOLVED!

Kunimasu, An 'Extinct' Fish, Rediscovered !

Breaking News:

Kunimasu, "extinct" fish that existed only in Lake Tazawa  have been rediscovered in Lake Saiko of Yamanashi Prefecture. This really caught us by surprise: it overturned the previous belief that the fish had long died out!

The news first arrived yesterday evening. TBS Japanese TV station has reported and it soon spread nationwide! Asahi Shinbun （朝日新聞）has reported it this morning as the front page news as follows:

The Asahi Shinbun: Kunimasu, endemic species to Japan that has been listed on Red List (Red Data Book) of Japanese Ministry of the Environment (MOE), has been found in a lake in Yamanashi Prefecture. A scientific research group of Kyoto University has just announced as verified. 70 years have passed since the species have last seen alive. This is the first time “extinct species” on the national Red List have been rediscovered. Ministry of the Environment has announced that it will review the list.

Kunimasu (Onchorhynchus nerka kawamurae) is originally was endemic species to Lake Tazawa which is said to become as large as 30 cm and had been fished by the locals as a food source. After the channel construction in 1940s that caused influx of acid water to the lake, the fish are said to have been extinguished. It was believed to have been wiped out of the world.

Kunimasu Found in Lake Saiko

Kunimasu have been found alive in Lake Saiko, one of the fuji-goko (five lakes near Mt. Fuji) in Yamanashi Prefecture. Nine samples of so-called “kuromasu,” caught by the local fishery industry union workers in March to April earlier this year, were examined by the University research group.

Professor Nakabou of Kyoto University

Not only the dark body color but also the branchial structure and forms of digestive organs have been identified as kunimasu. Its breeding season in January to March has been matched with that of kunimasu. Genetic analogy has shown that the kunimasu is different from himemasu found in the same lake; thus the rediscovered have never intercrossed with the latter. The study is expected to be published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

 

Back in February, Professor Nakabou has requested his friend Sakanakun, a popular TV talent who pursue his professional knowledge as a marine biologist and a visiting guest professor at Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, to make a lively illustration of the extinct species. To get an inspiration, Sakanakun has ordered a sample of himemasu, related species, from Lake Saiko; instead, he was sent a darker fish – which turned out to be a kunimasu.

The record shows five years before the species have died out in Lake Tazawa, 100,000 eggs have been transported to Lake Saiko. That is how the fish is said to have survived.

Sakanakun

In Lake Saiko, fish with darker bodies that resemble himemasu existed and called “kuromasu”. The locals had believed that was darker variation of himemasu.

According to Red List of Ministry of the Environment, there are four species designated as Japanese endemic species: Kunimasu, Minamitomiyo, Suwamoroko, and Chozame. Professor Nakabou says, “Lake Saiko has a relatively low water temperature, which was probably a suitable condition for himemasu.” Ministry of the Environment states such cases, in which species designated as ‘extinct’ have rediscovered, have happened in fields of plants and fungi but this is the first case in fish.

There are only 20 kunimasu samples in the world. Kunimasu has become popular as “maboroshi-no-sakana” (nonexistent fish). In 1990s, Tazawako-machi Tourism Association had posted cash reward of 5,000,000 yen but it was never found.

A Traditional Fishing Boat Restored

Some travellers are surprised and tell us, "You could fish in Lake Tazawa!?”

Of course, we could! It was a lake with abundant fish as it was told in the Legend of Tatsuko.

Until 1940s, fishery in Lake Tazawa flourished as well as agriculture in the surrounding area. The fish died out because of acid river water channeled into the lake as a result of dam construction project. You may argue that it could be avoidable, but considerthis-- it was the time of world war. The commuinity was greatly concerned and protested, but the projects were carreid out. It was a time of patriotism and sacrifising for the country's war footing was the most valued.

The fishery tradition faded out as the fish disappeared. As a result of decades-long unmeasurable efforts in the community, the lake water has improved significantly, more and more fish have been reapearing  in Lake Tazawa.

In a newspaper article last week, we learned that a group of local volunteers, who aims to preserve and restore the indigenous culture around the lake,  held a ceremony in which they announced that they completed restoration of the wooden fishing boat that was traditionally used for fishing in Lake Tazawa.

That reminds us: when we visited Tatsuko Chaya a month ago, a wooden boat was stored in a shack next to the restaurant. We found out that the restaurant owner, Mr. Miura, is passinately involved in an environment preservation group. We were excited to know more about his involvement.

June 12th, 2010 -- The boat was finally out in the water, follwoing a Shinto ceremony to wish for the safety on the boat. According to the article, Mr. Miura, the restaurant owner of Tatsuko Chaya,is  the leading organizer and  started this project. He visited Tazawako Museum of Traditional Crafts (Tazawako Kyodo-shiryou-kan: 田沢湖郷土資料館) to learn about the traditional boat. More than 15 volunteers were involved in this project and now it is completed.

The boat was named “Kunimasu” after endemic species to Lake Tazawa that extinct about70 years ago. The boat is consisted of a single solid piece of 150 years-old Akita Sugi (ceder) piece. The measurement is about 6.4 meters in length and .50 meter in width. It will be displayed at various events around Lake Tazawa.

Restored Wooden Boat Out in the Lake (Courtesy of Semboku City Government)

***** After this article was published, Kunimasu, then- registered as "extinct," was discovered in Yamanashi Prefecture! About the miraculous discovery, read here. *****