Atsuta

Atsuta lies on the Sea of Japan coast north of the Ishikari River. Its waters drew a seasonal herring fishery, traditionally associated with the establishment of the Atsuta trading district by the Matsumae domain in 1706. Early fishermen scooped up herring with dip nets; later methods included gill nets. The domain prohibited large set nets as far north as Atsuta, seeking to prevent monopoly and excessive catches, although the prohibition was often broken.