The Structure of Fishing Communities and Types of Fishermen in Japan

Fishing communities are generally more backward than agricultural communities. This feature seems to drive from natural conditions and from the high degree of intermarriage within fishing villages. As a result, stagnation takes place. At the same time, new cultural elements are imported from more advanced communities, especially as a result of temporary emigration for work, forced by the pressure of population. Thus an urban and progressive character is introduced to the fishing village. The simpler the community, the clearer is this contradiction. Consequently, in such villages the fishermen have something of a gambler's spirit. While the men who combine fishing and agriculture are more farmers than fishermen, sticking to the earth and living prudent lives.