Shishamo (柳葉魚, literally "Willow Leaf Fish"), or Spirinchus lanceolatus, is an anadromous fish (smelt) native to Hokkaido, Japan.[1]
| Shishamo | |
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| Grilled shishamo | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Osmeriformes |
| Family: | Osmeridae |
| Genus: | Spirinchus |
| Species: | S. lanceolatus
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| Binomial name | |
| Spirinchus lanceolatus (Hikita, 1913)
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Description
editThis fish averages 15 centimeters in length, with a maximum recorded length of 70 cm.[1] It is generally dark on the back with a silver-white underside.
Etymology
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The fish is said to resemble a willow leaf, and its Japanese name reflects this; shishamo, is derived from the Ainu name for the same fish, susam, which is supposed to be derived from a compound of Ainu susu "willow" + ham "leaf", hence its name in Chinese characters (柳葉魚 jukujikun, where the characters have no phonetic relation to the word).[2][3][4]
Food use
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In Japanese cuisine, this fish is grilled or fried whole and served with its roe intact.
The total 2021 catch in Kushiro, where 85% of Japanese shishamo are caught, was 124 tons - a reduction of 50% compared to the year before. [5] Due to declining catches in recent years, attempts have been made to commercially farm the fish in Japan.[6] In recent years capelin (Mallotus villosus) has appeared on the market with the name "Karafuto shishamo."
References
edit- ^ a b "Spirinchus lanceolatus summary page". FishBase. Retrieved 2019-04-09.
- ^ "第２２話 北海道にしかいない魚「シシャモ」". 地方独立行政法人北海道立総合研究機構. Retrieved 2013-09-21.
- ^ "アイヌ伝説 神からの贈りもの【ししゃも】". APNA食品図鑑. Retrieved 2013-09-21.
- ^ "鵡川ししゃも「楊の葉に命を与えたのは神様」". 北海道むかわ町. Retrieved 2016-02-09.
- ^ 新 ししゃも豆知識 十勝総合振興局産業振興部水産課
- ^ Tokunaga, Saki (2014-01-13). "Fish expert farming rare 'shishamo'". The Japan Times Online. ISSN 0447-5763. Retrieved 2019-04-09.
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