fishing master; head fisherman
Historical term for the person who owned fishing equipment and boats, often providing lodging and supplies to fishermen in exchange for their labor. The cross-reference 網子 (あみこ) refers to the fishermen working under this master.
See also: 網子 (あみこ)
center part of a fishing net
Archaic term referring to the central section of a fishing net. Not used in modern Japanese.
In the Edo period, the fishing master held great power in the fishing village.
The fishing master provided the fishermen with equipment and lodging.
In old documents, there are examples where 網元 refers to the center part of a fishing net.
Compound of 網 (あみ, 'net') and 元 (もと, 'origin' or 'source'), literally 'net origin'. The historical derivation is straightforward, but the exact period when it became a term for a fishing master is uncertain.